HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
273 
dull. No. 1. marks the lokanga in the accompanying wood- 
cut, No. 2. the valiha, and No. 3. the drum. 
Drums made in a form somewhat resembling those of 
Europe, are sometimes used. They are made of the hollow 
trunk of a tree, and are covered with untanned ox-hide, 
the ends being drawn together by thongs of the same 
material. They are beaten at one end with a stick. 
A few inferior fifes are also used, as well as drums, 
but neither are well made or musical. Many of the 
latter are beaten upon the knee, or placed between the 
knees, and beaten with the hands instead of drumsticks, 
while the players are seated on the ground. They are 
chiefly used as an accompaniment to the females’ clapping 
of hands and singing, and answer the purpose of assisting 
to keep the time. 
Few Malagasy voices can be considered good or musical. 
Those of the men are generally powerful, but harsh, and 
sometimes strongly nasal; they are, however, less in the 
habit of singing than the women. In the public assemblies 
i. 
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