AI-generated study of separated harp components: hide-covered bowl, curved neck, pegs and strings.
Illustration only; not a specimen photograph, exact artwork or evidence of a ceremony.
Overview
Adungu is an arched harp documented in different settings by two museum records. Horniman object 2013.186 has a skin soundtable with two openings; its wood is only tentatively identified as acacia. Donor Jonathan Hugh-Jones reported Karamojong use in 1981, describing a small hand-held harp within an ensemble of eight sizes accompanying local songs and mission hymns. His account divides higher and lower notes between the supporting left hand and the right hand.
Pitt Rivers object 1985.24.3 was made in 1984 at Panyume refugee settlement in the Yei River district for the Lutaya Expedition. A student and his brothers made the wood, goatskin and nylon instrument; the record describes river-soaking the wood and hide before construction. Its projected ensemble included bass harp and improvised percussion. The collector did not identify its makers’ cultural group, so the record’s association of the name adungu with Acholi usage does not establish their ethnicity.
History & identity
Two attributed records; no first-origin claim.
Sources & representation
Selected museum texts and Horniman object photograph inspected; pictured components are disassembled.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
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- 02
Language & cultural connections
Source-supported language and cultural connections have not yet been compiled for this profile.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary custodial record2013.186; object description, donor commentary, measurementsResearch access: 2026-10-23
- Primary custodial record1985.24.3; description and primary documentationResearch access: 2026-10-23
Image credits
AI-generated interpretive object studyAI-generated study of separated harp components: hide-covered bowl, curved neck, pegs and strings.
Illustration only; not a specimen photograph, exact artwork or evidence of a ceremony.
