Imzad

Imzad bowed lute. 20th century, Tuareg people, Ahaggar Region, Algeria

An 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, often during an evening ceremony called takket. However, there are modern attempts to promote the instrument as inherent to Tuareg culture.

External links

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