Description: The asanda is a member of the harp family and it is used to accompany fertility rituals. The carving of a female deity on the top of the neck is an indication of this use. Asanda may either have single or double heads.

Anatomy of the Asanda: On my specimen the ornamentation on the body is corrie shell that is affixed into pitch around the rim of the body. There are 5 strings who are made from animal hide and the strings are attached from underneath the hide to the friction tuning pegs. From underneath the animal hide strings are held in tension to the tuning pegs. The bowl and shaft are carved from the same piece of wood. While the hide is being prepared holes are punctured into the skin and the strings are inserted. The strings are made from the same material. One sound hole is carved into the hide or leather. The over all length of the asanda from body to head where the tuning pegs are located is 60.7cm in length.