West African reed raft zither (Bwaba thianhoun/tchahoun)

The tchahoun/thianhou of Burkina Faso's Bwaba people is a reed raft zither that occurs widely in sub-Saharan Africa under a variety of names, including balambale (Jola people, Senegal's Casamance region), yomkwo (Nigeria's Birom people), kuma (San people, Namibia), toba (Mahi people, Benin), and bangwe (Sena people, Malawi).

Our offering's dimensions: 13 1/2" l. x 13" w. x 1/2" h. Crafted by Ishmael Sanou and sourced by Linda Domoh Mwinsonge, it consists of 22 millet stalks, which are lashed together in the shape of a raft, thus the "raft" in the name. The playing strings are made by cutting thin slits in the stalks, lifting them, and suspending them over two bridges near the top and bottom of the frame. The strings then are bound at each end to secure them. Finally, so that the strings will create various pitches, their middles are wrapped with plant fiber -- more binding for those strings with lowest the pitches and less binding for those with the highest pitches. The pitch of the strings can be changed by sliding the ends of either of the bridges upward or downward on the frame.

To play, hold the instrument in both hands, horizontally in front of the body, and pluck the strings with the thumbs. In some models, a small, ringed plaque is attached to the underside of the instrument; this plaque rattles sympathetically when the strings are plucked, adding a percussive accompaniment. For more info, and to see the instrument being played, go to the following YouTube videos: "Le # Tchahon #Bakary #Dembele"; "Le Tchahoun instrument traditionnel Bwa"; "Burkina: Le musee de la musique rend hommage au maitre inconnnteste du tianhoun, Bakary Dembele"; "Le tiahun ou la cithare de paille au pays des hommes integres"