"Alexandre Sènou Adandé" Ethnographic Museum
(Benin)

The "Alexandre Dumas" School of Foreign Languages
(Bulgaria)

Burkina Faso Cultural Heritage Branch
(Burkina Faso)

The Museum of Art and Archeology of the University of Antananarivo
(Madagascar)

National Museum of Mali
(Mali)

St. Boniface Museum
(Manitoba, Canada)

Andalusian Study and Research Centre
(Morocco)

Musée acadien de l'Université de Moncton
(New Brunswick, Canada)

World Music Research Laboratory
(Quebec, Canada)

Canadian Museum of Civilization
(Quebec, Canada)

Museum of the Romanian Peasant
(Romania)

The Arab and Mediterranean Music Centre
(Tunisia)
THE ADJALIN (Raft Zither)

adjalin
Note Book
Adjalin (raft zither)
Porto-Novo (Ouémé Department)
1959
Bamboo
65 x 25 x 4 cm
"Alexandre Sènou Adandé" Ethnographic Museum - Benin


The adjalin or raft zither is a rectangular stringed instrument with no neck. It is made of sticks of bamboo joined together with vegetable fibre and is played by moving or plucking the strings with the fingers. It is a solo instrument.

This instrument belongs to the Goun ethnic group in Porto-Novo and surrounding area. It provides rhythm for certain ritual ceremonies and public events in the old kingdom of Porto-Novo. It does not have an exclusively royal use so anyone can buy and play it for their personal enjoyment and that of their family.

The introduction of modern instruments means that we do not see the adjalin very often any more. In fact, many young people do not know it at all. Only museums can ensure that this heritage instrument does not disappear and is preserved for posterity.


Patrick EFFIBOLEY