Images(3)

Masenqo

Alternate name(s)

Spike fiddle
Masinko

Date1940-1960 ca.

Place MadeEthiopia, Africa

Serial No.none

SignednoneMarkingsnoneDescriptionWooden-walled, diamond-shaped resonator covered with animal skin. Long wooden spike runs through resonating box, with a trapezoidal, finial tip. Wooden peg inserted through bored hole on top of spike, with horse hair string tied by animal skin strapping. Horse hair string tied at base end of neck by vegetal string, extending through a hole in a wooden, triangular bridge, and not attached to tuning peg at tip of neck.
Resonating Box/Spike:
Resonating box is a four walled, wooden box completely covered in animal skin. Skin is stretched around and sewn together on all four sides of the box. Hole bored in spike approximately 4 ½ inches from top, and wooden peg is inserted.
String and Bow:
Both string and bow string made of black, coarse horse hair. At both ends of string, vegetal lacing is attached; braided at upper attachment end. Wooden bow has bow string of black, course, horse hair tied on by vegetal string. One end of bow string is stung and tied by string through drilled hole on end of bow.
DimensionsTotal Length: 780 mm
Spike diameter (at tip): 33 mm
Box Height: 90 mm
Box Width: 210 mm
Box length: 210 mm
Bridge width: 127 mm
Bridge height: 50 mm
Bow Length: 368 mm
Bow Width/Height: 127 mm
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.

Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979

Object number04062

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