Imzad

The imzad (Arabic: إمزاد; alternately amzad) is a single-string bowed instrument used by the Tuareg people in Africa.

Its body is made out of a calabash or wood which is covered by animal skin. The strings are made from horse hair and are connected near the neck, and runs over a two-part bridge. The round bow is also equipped with horse hair.

The imzad is only played by the women for example to accompany songs,^[1] often during an evening ceremony called takket. However, there are modern attempts to promote the instrument as inherent to Tuareg culture.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• (in French) Project page "Sauver l'imzad" with images and music examples Archived 2008-03-21 at the Wayback Machine