Uganda
Ganda People

Wood, gut strings, leather
ca. Mid-20th century
Length: 16 inches
Chordophone – Harp – Plucked

An arched harp called ‘Adungu’ (a’dungu ), possibly from the Alur people of the northwestern Uganda Region. There are seven wooden tuning pegs and gut strings that stretch diagonally between the tuning pegs to the center of the sound box. The sound box is a hollowed-out wooden box covered with leather that is stitched on the side connecting the top to the bottom.  There are two sound holes on the upper piece of leather.  This top piece of leather functions as a sound board. The physical form of the ‘adungu’ derives from uniquely ancient African origins.

This ‘Adungu’ shows signs of usage and age.