Tanzania
Zigula

Wood
ca. Mid-20th century
Length: 26 inches
Chordophone – Zither – Trough/Strick

Trough zithers called ‘inaga’ are a typical musical instrument of several tribes in eastern Tanzania.  The Zigula are known to craft wooden figures with splayed/straddled legs as seen here in the carved full body finial at the top.   The figures are typically used for initiation ceremonies and sometimes represent ancestors or spirits.