A SHORT STUDV ON ZULU MUSIC. 259 



the split qiiill and a whistling sound is produced by the 

 breath ; the pitch is varied by pressing the string at the 

 opposite end with the fingers of the left hand. 



(5) Isitontolo. This instrument has been adopted from 

 the Basutos. It is illustrated in figs. 6 and 7. It often con- 

 sists of a reed (fig. 7) through which a flexible stick is passed, 

 and a string of ox-tendon is stretched tightly across. The 

 string is tied down in the middle towards the bow. The reed 

 may be replaced by a curved stick, into the ends of Avhich are 

 fixed short flexible sticks (fig. 6). In playing the instrument 

 one end of the middle thicker portion is placed against the 

 mouth, as in the case of the umqangala, while the string is 

 twanged with the right hand. The mouth acts as a resonator, 

 while the pitch can be altered by the fingers of the left hand 

 pressing on the string. 



(6) Unit shin go, or reed-pipe whistle. The end placed to 

 the mouth is cut obliquely (fig. 9), the other end is cut trans- 

 versely. The lower end is more or less closed with a finger, 

 and the pitch can be regulated. As a rule, two whistles are 

 played together by two players, one taking the lead and the 

 other respoiiding. 



(7) Igemf e is another form of whistle. It is made of a 

 large reed fitting over one of smaller diameter (fig. 8). It is 

 played like the unit shin go. 



(8) Isigubu, or drum (fig. 12). A piece of the trunk of a 

 tree, about eighteen inches long and one to two feet in dia- 

 meter, is hollowed out into a cylinder. The Umsenge, or 

 Cabbage Tree (Cussonia spicata), or the Umhlonhlo 

 (Euphorl)ia grandidens) are often selected on account of 

 the softness of the wood. Calf or goat skin is stretched 

 across the two ends and tied tightly together by strips of 

 skin or tendon. The drum is beaten with small drum- 

 sticks. 



These eight instruments are still in use to a small extent ; 

 liut tlie music elicited from them by the untutored Zulu could 

 seldom please a European, tor in most cases Zulu instrumental 

 music is extremely monotonous, and with very little value in 



