Classes of Ethnic Musical Instruments

• The String Family:

These are referred to as Chordophones. These produce sound by the strings and they include;
 
• Adungu/Adeudeu (Bowl harp):

This one comes from the North-western Uganda (West Nile) among the Alur, Kebu, Lugbara and Ondrosi sub-ethnic series of people. It ranges from 8 strings and beyond.

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• Entongooli/Endongo (Lyre):

This is a typical royal traditional musical instrument of Buganda, Busoga and other regions of Uganda. It ranges from 6 to 8 strings. Make-up and Use

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• Ennanga/Nanga (Trough Zither):

It is believed to have been brought in Uganda by the Hamites. It is common among the Bakiga and Acholi sub-ethnic culutures. It has 8 strings with a wooden trough.

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• Ennanga (Bowl Lyre):

It is a royal musical instrument of Buganda. It is strictly a solo instrument with 8 strings.

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• Sekitugele (Musical Bow):

This one is concetrated in Buganda and Busoga and West Nile regions. It has only one string which keeps changing pitch depending on the level of tension and relaxation.

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• Endingidi/Adigirigi (Tube fiddle):

This is found in Buganda, Busoga, Ankole, Kigezi, West Nile, Acholi and other regions. It is different from other string instruments in that it is a bowed string instrument with only one string and a bowl.
 
• The Percussion Family:

The Percussion Family includes most musical instruments hit to produce sound. They are divided into two sub-classes as follows;
 
• Membranophones:

These are musical instruments that bear mainly the skin or hide as its main construction material. It is this skin membrane which is hit to produce sound. It can be tuned to a required pitch level. Membranophones are broken into Rythmic and Melodic groups. Membranophones include;

Rythmic Membranophones

Embuutu (Big Drum)

Empuunyi (Bass drum)

Engalabi (Long Drum)

Namunjoloba/Akaduumi (Lead Drum)

Melodic Membranophones

Entenga (Drum Chimes)

Namandu (Drum Chimes)

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• Idiophones:

These are still hit or plucked to produce sound. They are broken into Rythmic and Melodic groups. Idiophones include;

Rythmic Idiophones

Ensaasi/Akacence/Enseege (Shakers)

Ebinyenge (Rattles)

Endege (Ankle bells)

Agwata (Percussion guords)

Melodic Idiophones

Amadinda/Embaire/Entaara/Akadinda, etc (Xylophones)

Akogo/Likende/Akadongo/Sansa/Mbira/Akalimba (Thumbpiano)

• The Wind Family:

These are refered to as the Aerophones. They produce sound by the help of wind blowing. They include;
• Enkwanzi (Panpipes):

This comes from Busoga and plays the Basoga music. It ranges from 5 pipes and above.

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• Amakondeere/Engombe/Enzamba (Horn):

These are widely spread all over Uganda and they are believed to have been brought in by the Bushmen and Hamites. They are made from various materials.

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• Agwara (Side Blown Horns):

These come from West Nile region among the Lugbara and Kebu tribes. They are played in a set of 7 and above.

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• Endere (Flute):

This is widely spread in all regions of Uganda. It is usually played both as a solo and as an orchestral instrument.

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• Oseke (Detached Pan Pipes):

These come from West Nile region among the Alur tribe. Their technique of playing is similar to that of the Agwara.

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