Fula Violin Bow

A nyayaru , or chordophone, known colloquially as a Fula violin. It is composed of a gourd resonator and dark hair stretched over a bridge and up the wooden neck. The gourd resonator is covered in scaled reptile skin, probably snake, and secured by cane pins. Is it played with a bow made from an arched split cane, with animal hair, bounded at the ends with twisted fibre. This example was purchased at the 1924 British Empire Exhibition in Wembley, London. It was acquired by the British Museum in 1954.

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Further Information

  • Type: Musical instruments
  • Object: Fula Violin Bow
  • Materials: Leather, animal skin, Textile, Wood
  • Culture Group: Fula
  • Dimensions: 450mm [L] x 40mm [W]
  • Production Date: Pre 1954
  • Associated Places: Unknown
  • Associated People: Wellcome Historical Medical Museum
  • Museum: British Museum
  • Accession Number: BM:Af.1954.23.3695.b

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