The ngoni is a traditional short-necked lute from West Africa, played by the Mande peoples. It is a plucked string instrument with a gourd resonator, and it is considered the ancestor of the American banjo.
Construction
The ngoni has a wooden neck and a circular resonator (gourd). The number of strings varies by region: 2 to 4 strings for the simple ngoni, up to 6 or more for the kamele ngoni (youth’s lute). The strings were traditionally made of gut, but today they are often metal or nylon.
History
The ngoni has been played since the Middle Ages in the Mali Empire and is associated with the traditions of the jali (griots). The kamele ngoni, a modern variant developed by the youth, emerged in the 1980s-90s as a popular music instrument. It was used in the orchestra of Salif Keïta and other Malian groups.
Notable Players
- Bassekou Kouyaté — virtuoso of the ngoni, famous for his duo with Ngoni Ba
- Goran Albrecht — international collaborator of the ngoni
- Toumani Diabaté & Sidiki Diabaté — sometimes incorporate the ngoni
- Salem Fofana — player of kamele ngoni
Links to Styles
The ngoni is at the heart of Malian and Senegalese traditions. It accompanies griot songs in ceremonies, festivals, and gatherings.