Madagascar
Malagasy

Bamboo, Animal Skin with Hair, Gourd, and Metal Strings
Early 21st Century
Length: 21.25 inches; Diameter: 6.5 inches
Chordophone – Zither – Tube – Plucked

The Valiha is the national instrument of Madagascar. It consists of a pipe with two nodes of natural hollowed-out bamboo, on which are tensioned parallel metal strings. Two small bridges (pieces of dried gourd placed at the top and bottom) are associated with each string to define the pitch. The metal strings encircle the whole body and are tuned in a two-octave, diatonic scale.  The tube can be held upright, or under the arm.