Ramkie
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2021) |
 A 6 string fretted Ramkie. | |
| String instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | String instrument |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | (Composite chordophone) |
| Developed | South Africa |
The Ramkie (also called an Afri-can) is a type of guitar usually made in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Malawi. It is made using a discarded oil can (or similar) for the soundbox. It has three or four strings (rarely six like a guitar), made of fishing wire or bicycle brake wire, and may be fretted or fretless.[1][2][3][4] The instrument has apparently always been used for repetitive chord-playing, not melodic patterns.[5]
History
[edit]The instrument is recorded as early as 1730 among the Khoikhoi people in the Cape, although its earlier history is unclear. Such early ramkies had a gourd for its body. The name probably comes from Portuguese "rabequinha" ("little violin"). It was later adapted by the San and Bantu speakers, and the gourd body replaced by wood or a tin can.[5]
See also
[edit]- Segankuru. Fiddle made similarly to Ramkie, from Southern Africa.
References
[edit]- ^ "ATLAS of Plucked Instruments - Africa". Atlasofpluckedinstruments.com. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ ":: Township Guitars :: African Oil Can Guitars". Archived from the original on 2009-06-14. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
- ^ "Die Ramkie auf ihrem Weg zur AfriCan - Guitar". Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
- ^ "The Stringed Instrument Database". Archived from the original on 2011-02-28. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
- ^ a b Rycroft, David K. & Impey, Angela (2001). "Ramkie". In Sadie, Stanley & Tyrrell, John (eds.). The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 978-1-56159-239-5.