Endongo: Harp-lute – String

The Endongo is another part of the Ugandan string family; with varying features it is also similar to the Entongoli and Litungu.

Known as the lyre of the Ganda, it features a large hemispherical sound-box made from gourd and has a long cylindrical crossbar, of which the lower end extends beyond the base to hold the strings. The Endongo has between six to eight strings made of ox tendons, attached to leather rings, they are tuned by sliding them up and down the crossbar.

The string layout does not follow the pitch order, the highest note in the scale is the third from the left and the lowest is the fifth string. Out of eight strings, five are tuned in octaves. It is played both as a solo instrument and to accompany songs of praise.