Gankeke (gong) Abomey (Zou Department) 1957 Iron 35 x 6 cm "Alexandre Sènou Adandé" Ethnographic Museum, Benin

When you arrive in Benin, you can often hear the sound of a resonating gong, "ginko, ginko"! This is a sacred and folk musical instrument made of two mismatched wrought iron funnels. They are joined together at one end to form a handle. The neck of the instrument is curved at both ends and the player taps them with a piece of wood. The gankeke can actually be a single or double bell and produces a sound like "kay-kay-kay" from whence its name (gan means iron).

This is an accompanying musical instrument that can be used by any musical group in southern Benin to play the gangbo rhythm in the area of Porto-Novo, when the Zangbeto, or night guards, go out on patrol. There are a whole series of gongs and bells of various shapes, including the gangbo or talking bell that has given its name to the rhythm. In Vodoun religious communities, the gong is a religious instrument played by the priestess, in the morning and in the evening, in the temples of Doudoua and Dan (rainbow god), to greet or worship them. It is used in a similar in processions to honour the gods. It is played by the leader of the procession, who warn ordinarys lay people to get out of the way or risk being beset by bad luck.

In the royal palaces of Porto-Novo and Abomey, the gankeke is used a great deal. In the palace of Abomey, a wandering musician or kpanligan plays it every morning as he tours the palace to sing about the great deeds of kings. On a social level, the gankeke is used to send messages. Its ringing sound alerts you to stay quiet so that you can hear an important message. It is also used in therapy to treat children who stutter.

The depth of Benin culture is hard to believe, isn't it?