Online Collection Database
SearchObject type
musical instrument > cordophones > harps > harp
Materials
wood, skin, vegetal fibre
Legend
Because a lot of African music has a pentatonic scale– a pattern with five tones – it comes as no surprise that a harp generally has five strings. If there are more, their tuning can usually be reduced to a pattern of five sounds. Due to the presumed link with ancient Egypt, Central African harps had an almost magical attraction to 19th century colonists. This is why entire series of finely decorated harps – with artsy carved woman’s head – from the early 20th century seem quite artificial.
Place of collecting
Democratic Republic of the Congo > Province Orientale > Aruwimi & Uele > Uele
Culture
Zande
Acquisition related person
Armand Joseph Oscar Hutereau (°1875 - †1914), as donor
Date of acquisition
1913-07-25
Dimensions
47,5 cm
Inventory number
MO.0.0.12685
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