The imzad (Arabic: إمزاد; alternately amzad) is a type of bowed "single-string fiddle" used by the Tuareg people in Africa.[1]
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Its body is made out of a gourd which is covered by animal skin, creating a soundboard.[1] The strings are made from horse hair and are connected near the neck, and runs over a two-part bridge.[1] The bridge is made of two pieced of wood, joined into a cross.[1] The round bow is also equipped with horse hair.[1]
Traditionally, the instrument was played to accompany men's songs.[1] The imzad is only played by the women for example to accompany songs,[2] often during an evening ceremony called takket.
References
editExternal links
edit- (in French) Project page "Sauver l'imzad" with images and music examples Archived 2008-03-21 at the Wayback Machine