Obokano bowl lyre
obokano
A five-stringed bowl lyre — the signature Gusii instrument — with gourd resonator.
A five-stringed bowl lyre — the signature Gusii instrument — with gourd resonator. Part of the Mogusii Cultural Heritage documented collection.
Cultural context
The obokano is a large bowl lyre: a wooden bowl covered with skin, carrying strings (traditionally gut, now often nylon) plucked in rhythmic patterns while the player sings. It accompanied the dances and praise recitations that marked initiations, harvests and communal gatherings — the scene captured in the dancing photograph shown with this record.
A skilled obokano player was a community archive: song texts preserved genealogy, history and commentary on current events. The instrument survives in cultural festivals and is being re-taught to younger musicians.
