Molo (lute)

The Molo is a two-stringed lute found primarily in parts of West Africa, including Ghana, The Gambia, and Senegal. It is traditionally played by griots (praise singers and storytellers) to accompany their singing and narratives.

The instrument typically features a gourd resonator covered with animal skin, usually goat or antelope. A long wooden neck is attached to the resonator, and the two strings, often made of fishing line or animal gut, run along the neck and are attached to tuning pegs at the headstock.

The Molo is usually played by plucking the strings with the fingers of one hand while using the other hand to stop the strings along the neck, changing the pitch. It is a crucial instrument in the musical traditions of the regions where it is found, serving as both a melodic and rhythmic accompaniment to oral histories and social commentary. The sound produced is generally described as bright and resonant, fitting for its role in storytelling. Variations in size and construction exist across different regions and communities.