Eastern Angola, DRC and Zambia
Chokwe

Wood, metal, wire
Mid 20th Century
Length: 6.5 in; Width: 3.25 in; Depth: 1 in at keys
Idiophone – Plucked – Lamellophone

The kisanji (kissange), a lamellophone of the Chokwe people. comes from the region straddling the borders of DR Congo from Angola and Zambia. This style of board kisanji ca kakolo ndondo (simple keyboard) was also adopted by the Lwena, and Lunda people. The kisanji kakolo ndondo is usually played solo; it accompanies the singing of the men who roam the tracks.  It is also played in the evenings at the vigils. When the instrument is played over a resonant gourd by a professional musician someone else may assist by hitting the gourd with a mukakala wand.

This kisanji has eight (8) metal keys in a single row (kakolo ndondo), suspended over a U-shaped metal bridge.  One of the keys has a metal slider/band which produces a buzzing sound when the instrument is played.  Both the top and bottom of the one-piece board resonator is incised with geometric designs characteristic of the Chokwe. Attached to the bottom is a metal rod with two (2) rounded metal strips/bands called ‘mayuku’ for a special buzzing effect.