musikinstrument, parallellsamling, rekvisita, Bung’o [giriama]

The Giriama tribe of coastal Kenya’s Mijikenda community are credited for inventing the unique Bung’o instrument. It is classified as a reed wind instrument and consists of:
(a) a Kivure – this is the bell-shaped section
(b) Kinare - the mouthpiece, which is made from a piece of a leaf from a palm tree species (mugumo), and a piece of a coconut shell locally known as Kifufu (or Chifufu) used as a lip shield and a pipe to blow through.

Before playing, the mouthpiece must be softened by placing it inside a glass of water for few minutes. Playing the Bung’o involves learning intricate techniques, and studentsof this instrument are often first taught vocal melodies, which are traditionally accompanied by the Mugabe, another fascinating percussive instrument also indigenous to the Mijikenda people.

"In the late 19th century to late 20th century Bung’o instrument was known as Tsimba (meaning lion) for its low, bass tones. During that time, it would be played by a team of three people. Two people would carry the instrument on their shoulders, as it was long and heavy, measuring up to 6 meters, and the third person would blow it. With time, practitioners reduced the size of the instrument, and changed its name to Bung’o - which means "the sound of singing insects", after the buzzing of the Flower Chafer beetle, known as Bung'o in some Mijikenda tribes.

Most Bung’o players carve their own instruments. The Mnyumbu, an indigenous tree in the Kenyan coastal regions, was most commonly used to carve this instrument in the past. Sadly, this tree has gone extinct. Instead, wood from the Mkuha, Mlungu, Mborea and Mukwaju (Tamarind) trees are being used instead. The Bung’o is an endangered instrument, as very few clans of the Mijikenda tribe have kept its tradition alive. Among these is the Mwanyundo sub-clan of the the Mwathoya clan, where an elder named Mackezi Garama and his brother, Kwicha Iha Mackenzi, are hailed as Sogora wa bung’o, a title translated: “Master of masters of Bung’o players.” " - excerpt of a text by Daniel Muhuni