This is a replica of the first banjo created in west African know as an Akonting. Brought over on slave ships the 3 string akonting evolved into what is now 4 and 5 string banjos
The head is put on wet. It is soaked for about 30 min. It is put on flat then I cut a slot in each end and then feed the neck like a giat sewing needle. In and out the side.
Hey, Barry! Beautiful instrument. A lot of your info regarding identifying the instrument and details about construction are inaccurate, though. We shouldn't refer to the ekonting as a banjo, or suggest that it is the "first banjo" or anything like that. Banjo history nuts (like me) get very bent out of shape over that kind of sentiment regarding any West African plucked lute that we are citing as a model for early banjo. The ekonting is an ekonting (obviously), an ancient plucked lute of the Jola people of Senegal. The banjo is a "modern" development, a creolization of traditional West African plucked lutes. Don't get me wrong, I happen to think that the ekonting is the best model we have so far of West African origins for the banjo. Calling it a banjo, though, is just kind of weird and wrong. (Sorry if I sound uppety.) Also, folks should know that the original ekonting does not have tuners (strings are tied onto the neck with a special knot); there is no tailpiece, per se; the neck is not typically made of wood (papyrus stalk); there absolutely are "sound" holes, usually two--one is actually a sand hole; most common tuning is M2 from first to second string, and m6 from second to third string. So your tuning would be C-E-D. BTW, I've made several ekontings with strings tied on, and a few with tuners (made the first with tuners for Rhiannon Giddens several years ago). Hope this is helpful.
Hi Paul... I appreciate the info. I have received most of my info from the fellow that is the curator of the Maritime Museum in Savannah Ga. I suppose I have some info that is not totally correct, however, as I state it is a replica...my take on an instrument that could be played by folks that want something a little different. This is by no means a historical representation just a similar instrument to have fun and experiment with.
@@Bsholder Hey, Barry. Sorry, very belated reply! Gonna continue to be anal (sorry). So, "replica" means a faithful reproduction (an exact copy) of something. You have not made a replica of an ekonting. You have made a really cool, beautiful modification of an ekonting. And that's okay--it's more than okay, actually! It's awesome, because that is exactly how the banjo came into being! European sensibility encountering traditional West African sensibility, holding onto certain elements and making modifications to suit particular needs or inspiration. Sorry to lecture! Cheers! --Paul
Very informative. But I doubt that any slave brought anything with them on the ships. We believe that the slaves in the Caribbean found the materials and made them. Also, the slaves that arrived in c.1619 Virginia also found materials to build their instruments. Even though this is not a "banjo" per se, it is considered the basis for the modern day banjo. Just like the Renaissance Guitar is the basis for the modern day Ukulele (far removed).
It's not a banjo, it has no frets, different number and type of strings... Might aswell call a violin a guitar because both have a wooden resonant body.
you know there are 4-string banjos, and fretless banjos, and banjos that have nylon / nylgut strings right? it's the banjo head that really matters. regardless, it's an Akonting, which is the predecessor to the banjo...
@@dakota.stlaurent I It's not a banjo. It doesn't sound like a banjo, it doesn't look like a banjo and it isn't played like one. The drum-style resonator is the only thing it has in common with a banjo (just like with a lot of ancient Chinese & Japanese instruments, are those banjos too?) Calling this a banjo is just a STUPID attempt at re-writing history, even if the banjo was influenced by this in some obscure way (because of slaves or something).
My nephew has one of your banjos, it plays beautifully and looks amazing.
very nice work
Very, very instructive! Thank u for uploading. So much information
So how much? my brother is one of the player of Ekonting in Camance!
How did you get the head tight?
The head is put on wet. It is soaked for about 30 min. It is put on flat then I cut a slot in each end and then feed the neck like a giat sewing needle. In and out the side.
Thanks!
Thanks very much.
Ever heard of Inanga?
No
Hey, Barry! Beautiful instrument. A lot of your info regarding identifying the instrument and details about construction are inaccurate, though. We shouldn't refer to the ekonting as a banjo, or suggest that it is the "first banjo" or anything like that. Banjo history nuts (like me) get very bent out of shape over that kind of sentiment regarding any West African plucked lute that we are citing as a model for early banjo. The ekonting is an ekonting (obviously), an ancient plucked lute of the Jola people of Senegal. The banjo is a "modern" development, a creolization of traditional West African plucked lutes. Don't get me wrong, I happen to think that the ekonting is the best model we have so far of West African origins for the banjo. Calling it a banjo, though, is just kind of weird and wrong. (Sorry if I sound uppety.) Also, folks should know that the original ekonting does not have tuners (strings are tied onto the neck with a special knot); there is no tailpiece, per se; the neck is not typically made of wood (papyrus stalk); there absolutely are "sound" holes, usually two--one is actually a sand hole; most common tuning is M2 from first to second string, and m6 from second to third string. So your tuning would be C-E-D. BTW, I've made several ekontings with strings tied on, and a few with tuners (made the first with tuners for Rhiannon Giddens several years ago). Hope this is helpful.
Hi Paul... I appreciate the info. I have received most of my info from the fellow that is the curator of the Maritime Museum in Savannah Ga. I suppose I have some info that is not totally correct, however, as I state it is a replica...my take on an instrument that could be played by folks that want something a little different. This is by no means a historical representation just a similar instrument to have fun and experiment with.
@@Bsholder Hey, Barry. Sorry, very belated reply! Gonna continue to be anal (sorry). So, "replica" means a faithful reproduction (an exact copy) of something. You have not made a replica of an ekonting. You have made a really cool, beautiful modification of an ekonting. And that's okay--it's more than okay, actually! It's awesome, because that is exactly how the banjo came into being! European sensibility encountering traditional West African sensibility, holding onto certain elements and making modifications to suit particular needs or inspiration. Sorry to lecture! Cheers! --Paul
The Akonting is actually the Banjo's Great Grand Daddy
Forgot to mention Bill Evans plays one of my strings-tied-on ekontings!
Very informative. But I doubt that any slave brought anything with them on the ships. We believe that the slaves in the Caribbean found the materials and made them. Also, the slaves that arrived in c.1619 Virginia also found materials to build their instruments. Even though this is not a "banjo" per se, it is considered the basis for the modern day banjo. Just like the Renaissance Guitar is the basis for the modern day Ukulele (far removed).
It's not a banjo, it has no frets, different number and type of strings... Might aswell call a violin a guitar because both have a wooden resonant body.
you know there are 4-string banjos, and fretless banjos, and banjos that have nylon / nylgut strings right? it's the banjo head that really matters. regardless, it's an Akonting, which is the predecessor to the banjo...
@@dakota.stlaurent I
It's not a banjo.
It doesn't sound like a banjo, it doesn't look like a banjo and it isn't played like one.
The drum-style resonator is the only thing it has in common with a banjo (just like with a lot of ancient Chinese & Japanese instruments, are those banjos too?)
Calling this a banjo is just a STUPID attempt at re-writing history, even if the banjo was influenced by this in some obscure way (because of slaves or something).
Oof. Who hurt you buddy?
@@westelaudio943 bEcAuSe oF sLaVeS oR sOmEtHiNg what an attitude, extremely ignorant and pretentious take
@@westelaudio943 The Akonting is the Great Grand daddy of the Banjo. It uses the Clawhammer Technique like the Banjo.