|
Alghaita
Niger
Ethnic group: Hausa
Canadian Museum of Civilization
|
|
|
This oboe has two parts: a wooden body that is
covered with leather and has four finger holes, and a mouthpiece consisting
of a thin metal tube to which a double reed is attached. It is used for court
music, either alone or with several others. The alghaita is played
using continuous breathing. In other words, the musicians breathe in through
the nose and exhale through the mouth as they play. They press their lips
firmly against the disc, so that the reed is completely in their mouth. As
the air that is compressed between their cheeks escapes, it produces the
nasal, and somewhat piercing, tone characteristic of the oboe. This playing
technique is widespread in Islamized countries in the Mediterranean region,
as well as in places such as Chad, Niger, Madagascar, and certain countries
in East and Southeast Asia.
|