Ethiopia
Ethiopian

Wood, rawhide, horse hair
ca. Early-Mid 20th century
Height: 32 inches
Chordophone – Spike Lute – Bowed

The Ethiopian “masenqo” is a bowed spike fiddle (classified as a bowed lute) that functions as an accompaniment instrument in songs. It is played only by men and can be played alone or in enseemble.  The “masenqo” has a wooden diamond-shaped resonator, covered with stretched rawhide. There is one string, typically made of horse hair, that is tuned by a single large peg at the top of the neck. This spike fiddle is held vertically, with the spike resting on the player’s knee and is played with an angle or curved bow held in either the right or left hand. The non-bow hand moves lightly on top of the upper part of the string lengthening or shortening the vibrating string as it is bowed.  The “masenqo” is important in both secular and religious music.