nyatiti

English

Etymology

From Luo nyatiti.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /njɑːˈtiːti/

Noun

nyatiti (plural nyatitis)

1. A traditional type of lyre with eight strings, used by the Luo people of Kenya.
   • 2001, Okumba Miruka, Oral Literature of the Luo, EAEP, published 2001, page 14:

     The premier Luo musical instrument is the nyatiti, a lyre of eight strings converging inside a hide resonator, all housed in a trapezoid wooden frame.

   • 2000, Radano/Bohlman, Music and the Racial Imagination, page 373:

     Recently, some nyatiti performers have collaborated with guitarists in beautiful combined productions.

   • 1999, Simon Broughton et al., Rough Guide to World Music, page 522:

     A quiet, largely acoustic CD with beautiful melodies and captivating rhythms that starts with nyatiti, praise songs and local rhythms.