Fig. 3: Hausa gurmi played by Salamatu Mai Gurmi, collected by Abdalla Ubu Adamu (still from YouTube video [Adamu, 2013]). | Humanities and Social Sciences Communications

Fig. 3: Hausa gurmi played by Salamatu Mai Gurmi, collected by Abdalla Ubu Adamu (still from YouTube video [Adamu, 2013]).

From: Quantitative similarities between the banjo and a diverse collection of West African lutes

Fig. 3: Hausa gurmi played by Salamatu Mai Gurmi, collected by Abdalla Ubu Adamu (still from YouTube video [Adamu, 2013]).

The gurmi is constructed by stretching a membrane across an open gourd resonator, which is closed by a vibrating skin membrane. The round neck fully penetrates the resonator, and the strings are attached to the neck with leather tuning knots. Note also the downstroking style of performance, also seen in early banjo playing.

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