Πεντάχορδη λύρα, Τύπος Goala – Απόδοση Bashada – Αιθιοπία – 66 εκ. (χωρίς τιμή ασφαλείας)

Five-String Lyre, Goala Type – Bashada Attribution – Ethiopia – 66 cm

Origin: Southern Ethiopia
People / Region: Bashada attribution
Type: Five-string lyre, goala type (related to the dita tradition)
Materials: Wood, hide, plant fibres and strings
Dimensions: Height 66 cm × maximum width 49 cm
Period: Presumably mid-20th century
Provenance: Personally collected in Ethiopia by the present owner in the early 1990s
Display stand: Not included

A remarkable traditional Ethiopian five-string lyre, attributed to the Bashada people of southern Ethiopia, distinguished by its generous proportions, richly carved wooden resonator and beautifully developed old patina.

Standing 66 cm high and measuring 49 cm across its widest point, the instrument possesses an imposing, highly graphic silhouette.

Two long, slightly irregular wooden arms rise diagonally from the circular resonator and are joined by a horizontal crossbar.

The five strings are attached to the upper crossbar by substantial bundles of plant-fibre bindings, preserved with their old twists, knots and surface wear.

Particularly noteworthy is the wooden resonator, one face of which bears an elaborate arrangement of incised geometric motifs.

Long radiating lines converge towards a small central circular element, while bands of triangles, zigzags and parallel incisions create an attractive symmetrical composition.

The opposite side retains its dark, aged hide covering, with several small perforations visible on the surface.

The wooden structure displays a deep reddish-brown patina, with darker polished areas and numerous traces of prolonged handling and use. The aged hide and fibrous string attachments contribute to the remarkable material presence of the instrument.

The contrast between the almost austere construction of the frame and the richness of the carved resonator gives the lyre a particularly strong sculptural character.

Cultural context

The lyre is one of the important traditional string instruments of Ethiopia, where different regional forms have developed among numerous communities.

In southern Ethiopia, five- and six-string lyres are found among several peoples, including the Hamar, Bashada, Maale and other groups of the Omo Valley and surrounding regions.

Among the Hamar and Bashada, this family of instruments is known as goala, a regional counterpart of other Ethiopian lyres such as the dita and krar.

These instruments were traditionally plucked or strummed and used to accompany singing, forming part of the musical and social life of their communities.

Their construction varies considerably, but typically combines a resonating body with two projecting wooden arms, a crossbar and a series of strings attached by fibre or leather bindings.

The present example is especially appealing for the elaborate geometric decoration of its wooden resonator, demonstrating the attention devoted to both the functional and aesthetic qualities of traditional musical instruments.

Condition

Good overall condition for an ethnographic instrument of this type and apparent age.

The wooden structure, resonator, hide covering and five strings are preserved.

One string currently lies alongside another and requires careful repositioning. The instrument has not been tested for tuning or playability.

Surface wear, scratches, minor irregularities, aged fibre bindings and natural deterioration of organic materials are consistent with age and use.

The wooden surfaces retain a beautiful dark reddish-brown patina, while the carved geometric decoration remains clearly visible.

Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.

Included

The lyre only.

The display stand visible in the photographs is not included in the sale.