Xhalam playing by Abdulai Saine,Gambia 2002

This recording was made July 2002 in Banjul and shows a Jali/Griot Xhalam lute player.The Xhalam is semi spike lute that has been used in West Africa for more than 1000 years. Visit my Blog site for more info www.myspace.com/banjoulf

Category:

Music

Tags:

• West
• African
• string
• music

[Klezfiddle1]

What an amazing instrument! It is virtually identical to the ancient Egyptian lute, as depicted on Theban banqueting scenes, from over 3000 years ago...

[UlfJagfors]

There is a direct link between the today existing West African lutes and the Ancient Egyptien lutes. Court bard Har-Moses lute (about 1500 B.C) which is on display in the Cairo Museum is in many ways very similar in construction. I have examine that lute on spot. There are a few differencies. The Egyptin lutes were mostly played with a wooden plectrum. They had no short thumb string as on nearly all Griot/Jali lutes. They also encompase frets made of a twisted rope around the neck. Ulf Jagfors

[KRISHNARAJIYENGAR]

wow! how much would this cost? very fascinating! little instrument, sweet sound!

[KemetMysticYAYA]

How amazing! How wonderful Ancient Egypt must have been.

[fatimataoriginals]

this man is good

[teamim]

@Klezfiddle1: Thanks for pointing this out! Babylonia was the original home of the long-necked lute (acc. to Curt Sachs) and it went from there to Egypt and elsewhere. I find the construction both of the instrument and this music fascinating.

[corbicula]

I'm afraid of African music...

[meteoritelight]

that guys got some seriously long fingers

[ady24]

beautiful stuff.

[ArneKrueger]

Thank you, Mr. Abdulai Saine, and Ulf , to bring us this delicate Little Tune to our poor Europe. Hope you are both well! It touches my heart.

Jau!