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Thank you, @lucindagaddis689, for your insightful comment and for watching our episode! The ngoni is indeed a fascinating instrument with deep roots in West African culture. The "ngoni" unique design and sound have played a significant role in Mandinka cultural traditions, particularly in the storytelling and ceremonies led by griots, who are esteemed as the historians and musicians of West Africa​. What's particularly intriguing about the ngoni is its impact on the evolution of other stringed instruments. It's considered an ancestor of the modern banjo and shares similarities with the kora and the xalam, both in design and playing technique. Over the centuries, the ngoni has evolved into various forms, including the donso ngoni, used in hunting rituals, and the kamale ngoni, a more contemporary version that gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s​​. Your suggestion to include the ngoni in discussions about the origins of the guitar is excellent and very much appreciated. It highlights the interconnectedness of musical traditions and the rich history behind the instruments we enjoy today. We will definitely consider this for future episodes. We are thinking about an episode about the influences of African culture on other music cultures around the world. Thank you for your thoughtful engagement, and we're glad you enjoyed this episode. We look forward to bringing you more in-depth musical explorations on the Music & Travel Podcast.