Limba song

Ethnomusicological sound recording made by Cootje van Oven. Limba song, accompanied by the kuchuteng and konkoleh. The photograph features the kuchuteng. It is a metal box (sometimes with part of the metal replaced by wood) which has a number of metal tongues fixed on top of it (the longest in the centre, then tapering off regularly on both sides). The box also has an extension through which small metal wires are threaded. The player plucks the tongues with his thumbs while shaking the box up and down to obtain a rattle from the wires threaded through the extension and from some pebbles inside the box. The tongues are actually flattened-out umbrella stays. This kuchuteng has 11 tongues. The konkoleh (more usually called koto by Limba musicians) is a U-shaped piece of metal hit with a metal beater. As is frequently done, this one is moved up and down during playing and the hand holding it grips it more and less tightly as it goes down and up. Measurements of kuchuteng box 11.5" by 6/5" by 4", length of extension just over 5" (measured round the curve - it is slightly curled up). Length of konkoleh 20" measured right round, distance between its ends 5.5".

Further Information

  • Type: Sound Recording, Musical instruments
  • Object: Limba song
  • Materials: No Data / Other
  • Culture Group: Limba
  • Dimensions: No Data
  • Production Date: 1966.04.12
  • Associated Places: Yagala, near Kabala, Koinadugu District [Place Recorded][Origin of item]
  • Associated People: Cootje van Oven [Sound Recordist]; Herb Clark [Sound Recordist]; Saio Mansaray [Lead singer and kuchuteng]; Saba Mansaray [Konkoleh]
  • Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
  • Accession Number: CVO:188

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