Kontigi
Encyclopedia
A kontigi or kuntigi is a one- or two-stringed stringed lute
used in Nigeria
n Hausa music
. It is also found among Islamized peoples throughout West Africa
(see Xalam
). The best-known player is Dan Maraya
.
Lute
Lute can refer generally to any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back, or more specifically to an instrument from the family of European lutes....
used in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n Hausa music
Hausa music
The Hausa are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, Niger, Sudan, and in many West and Central African countries. Their folk music has played an important part in the development of Nigerian music, contributing such elements as the goje, a one-stringed fiddle...
. It is also found among Islamized peoples throughout West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
(see Xalam
Xalam
Xalam, also spelled khalam, is the Wolof name for a traditional stringed musical instrument from West Africa. The xalam is thought to have originated from modern-day Mali, but some believe that, in antiquity, the instrument may have originated from ancient Egypt...
). The best-known player is Dan Maraya
Dan Maraya
Dan Maraya Jos is a Nigerian Hausa Griot best known for playing the kontigi.Dan Maraya Jos is a living legend in the hausa musical world. His songs are about life and living- External links :* via nigeria-arts.net...
.