Akonting
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About This Item
The akonting or ekonting is a musical instrument played by the Jola-kasa community in the Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau regions of West Africa.
The akonting, recognized as the ancestor of the American banjo, is constructed using simple materials that the Jola people come across in their daily lives. The akonting is played by all different kinds of people and does not have specific cultural contexts for its use. Jola oral history suggests the instrument is one the oldest in Africa.
The size of the akonting as well as the number of fingerholes on the neck change the pitch of the instrument and are determined by the builder.
- Date
- Mid to late 20th century
- Geography
- Jola community, West Africa
- Medium
- wood
- gourd
- reptile skin
- string
- papyrus
- Context
The Jola are one of the oldest indigenous groups in the Senegambia region. Their music is very communal and musicians play for service to the larger community rather than for individual financial gain.
Research in the Global Museum’s archives show that most of the Africa collection comes from West Africa, yet the variety of objects here originated from almost every region in the continent, characterizing the itinerant movements people have between their neighboring communities. Materials and designs reflect their particular source communities and show evidence of cultural exchange and trade routes. On a deeper level, ceremony intermingles with daily life. There is balance between the living and the dead, where deceased loved ones or powerful spirits are embodied with human and/or animal characteristics to protect, soothe, or guide the living.
- Height
- 25 in
- Width
- 11 in
- Depth
- 5.5 in
- Copyright
- Copyright status unknown. Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing, and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
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