331 waji

( JPEG format )

Afghanistan (Nuristan)
wooden body, animal hide over the front face; 34 soundholes; L. 41.2 cm
4 nylon strings
tuning: e'-f'-g'-a'

The body of this arched harp is a hollowed out boat-shaped piece of wood with an inward curved middle section. Animal hide is stretched over this, and a bow-shaped neck pierces it so as to form two arms. One end of the strings is passed through holes in the shorter arm; the other end is tied around the other arm with cords woven from animal hair. The player holds the instrument under the left arm and plucks the strings with a small wooden plectrum held in the right hand. The left hand is used to dampen the strings. Used as a solo instrument or in song accompaniment.

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