Name: Valiha, (pronunciation): "Valih" (the specimen in collection is "Valiha Toritenany")

Type: Chordophone, tube zither, Relatives of this instrument are found in Vietnam and other areas in South Asia.

Tuning: Diatonic, in E-major (what I have my instrument tuned to).

Acquisition (Source): African percussion store located on Main St (in City of Vancouver, B.C. Canada).

Acquisiton (Date): 2006-08-27 Sunday.

 

 

Description: The valih' is a tube zither, traditionally hand carved, both strings and zither were hand carved from the same piece. AKA the strings were carved from the same bamboo tube to which made the zither at the end result. But this type often breaks due to wear and tear, transportation issues and such. A more recent method is the use of guitar or strings made from bycycle break cable.

Anatomy: 17 playing strings (on my specimen, which are of metal) and one sympathetic string (also of metal). The sympathetic string is to "amplify" the tone of the instrument (resonance). But is traditionally not plucked along with the rest of the strings. The strings aare raised often by a piece of gourd or similar material. This is to achieve of the tuning. The tuning is a diatonic E-major scale or a tuning prefered by the musician(s) them selves. Often there are 10 to 19 playing strings (depending on the maker).

The ornamentation (motif) is hand-burned ofthen this technique was heating a coat hanger in the fire (or with blow-torch). To create the art work applied with coat hanger or what ever piece of metal used. There is a slot carved with a couple sound holes added into the bamboo tube. Also the strings are attached with nails (for the indavidual strings). The nails are covered with some form of "Yak" hair/fur (or in some Indigenous species).

Playing Technique: Traditional method is the valih' is held by player, in his right or left arm pit and rotated around to achieve the desired note when plucked. Sometimes a scarf is around

Types of valih: There is the Valiha Torienany (tube zither), and the "Morovany" being a rectangular box also under the "valih" family with strings on both sides (only on the two sides) and is played also in similar methods. In the past the valih' was a sacred musical instrument often played in religious ceremonies and or processions mainly held by the aristocracy. But since th 19th century. This instrument now is very much a secular instrument.

Regional aspects: The Bara people in the southern region of the Island; played the valih' for "posession ceremonies". The valih is considered Madascar's national musical instrument in association with its ancient heritage.