Friday 8 April 2011

The Ngombi harp...

Last week my friend Ben asked if I could make some new tuning pegs for his Ngombi harp. This harp is made by his friends in the Bacha tribe of the Pygmy/Bameto people, who live in the jungles of The Gabon, West Africa...
I set too carving the pegs from some seasoned Chinese Ash that Ralph.H had given me last year.
First I split some wood down and carved it into a uniform bar shape...

spoon carving first steps bushcraft

And then carved the peg shape at the end...

spoon carving first steps bushcraft

From time to time I offered up the peg to make sure it was a good fit. The original pegs were made a little to thin, which made it difficult for Ben to tune the harp...

spoon carving first steps bushcraft

When the peg eventually fitted with a nice  interference, I partially cut through the other end...

spoon carving first steps bushcraft

And snapped the peg off...

spoon carving first steps bushcraft

I made eight pegs in total.
All fitting beautifully...

spoon carving first steps bushcraft

Here is the finished harp...

spoon carving first steps bushcraft

I asked Ben if he would play the harp for me, and he kindly agreed...



I think he plays it beautifully...
Enjoy...
J









5 comments:

  1. Lovely instrument, visually and the sound is gorgous! I enjoyed that, thank you por posting it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very nice! Tweeting birds in the background too, just like the rainforest. T

    ReplyDelete
  3. I LOVE this Ngombi.
    I'm a harp player/maker and would love to make a Ngombi myself. Can you give me some basic guidelines? it's would be so appreciated!!
    Btw: beautiful work!!!!
    my mail is bird777 at g m a i l dot c o m

    Cheers!
    Eyal

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi hi Eyal.
    I have sent you an email with Ben's address.
    He will fill you in on all the details of the harp...Cheers...J

    ReplyDelete

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