Ngoni (instrument)

The ngoni (also written ngɔni, n'goni, or nkoni) is a traditional West African string instrument.

A book written by English musician Ramon Goose about the ngoni describes its known history, tunings and a beginner's guide to playing the instrument.

The smaller kamale ngoni or "young man's harp" is claimed to be invented by the musician Alata Brulaye around the 1950s and 1960s in Mali.

There are however exceptions, such as Adama Yalomba, who are exploring new horizons and applying heptatonic scales transforming and influencing the younger generation.

During decades both harps followed similar organology using a resonance body made of calabash rather than wood such as the traditional lute ngoni.

Bassekou Kouyate performing on a jeli ngoni
The donso ngoni (hunter's harp, shown) is similar to the kamale ngoni, but has fewer strings. [ 1 ]
Kamele ngoni belonging to Abou Diarra