Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau in West Africa
Jola  / Manjak People

Wood, metal strings, mother-of-pearl, bone
Length: 34 in;  Width: 15 in
Late 20th century
Chordophone – Lute – Spiked

The akonting or ekonting (French transliteration) is a folk spike-lute found in Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau in West Africa.  It has a skin-headed large gourd body that supports a bridge for the strings; a long bamboo papyrus broomstick that pierces through the gourd, and two long melody strings, and one short drone string that are tunable with leather hoops or wrapped nylon string attached to the broomstick neck.

The Jola people call it akonting and the Manjak people call it bunchundo.  The akonting is somewhat akin to the smaller ngoni from the Senegal/Gambia area. 

For a demonstration – checkout  reference:
http://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/video/advanced-akonting-playing-by-ekona-jatta-gambia-2003?xg_source=activity