Arch lute
This musical instrument was collected in Colombia before 1865. How it appeared there remains a mystery. It suggests the continuity of African musical traditions by enslaved people. Its form is typically West African. Musicological research suggests that this is a Mende arched harp (mbake) which originated from Sierra Leone.
(See Staub, J., 1936, Beitrage zur Kenntis der materiellen Kultur der Mendi in der Sierra Leone. Solothurn: Buchdruckerei Vogt-Schild A.G.)
Obtained by James Aunger, who donated it to RAMM in 1870.
Length = 843mm.
(See Staub, J., 1936, Beitrage zur Kenntis der materiellen Kultur der Mendi in der Sierra Leone. Solothurn: Buchdruckerei Vogt-Schild A.G.)
Obtained by James Aunger, who donated it to RAMM in 1870.
Length = 843mm.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- E929
- Category
- Ethnography
- Collection Class
- Musical instruments
- Collection Area Region
- South America
- Material
- wood | animal skin | metal | fibre |
- Common Name
- arch lute
- Simple Name
- harp
- Production Town
- Production County
- Cartagena
- Production Country
- Colombia
- Production Person Initials
- Production Person Surname
- Production Year Low
- Production Year High
- 1865
