The Kamele ngoni (young persons harp) is a harp-oud from the Mandingue region of West Africa (especially Mali and Burkina Faso).  It has its origins in the hunters donso n’goni. Also known as kamale ngoni or simply Goni in Burkina Faso.

For more about the Kamele ngoni check out our history page  About the kamale ngoni

We have a range of Kamele ngoni for sale and made to order.

Or why not check out one of our workshops and retreats

kamele ngoni tuning in A – G E D C A G E D C A

For a 12 string kamele ngoni we might add two extra bass notes e.g.  G E D C A G E D C A G E

For 14 string we might also add two higher strings  C A G E D C A G E D C A G E

Kamele ngoni tuning in B – A F# E D B A F# E D B

Jina Muso

A popular Malian rhythm referring to the ‘spirit of the Woman’.

‘The beauty of the woman one loves is likened to the exceptional beauty of certain spirits. This comparison reflects the many popular stories about spirits that have seduced men and women.’ Sissoko, Djelimoussa “Ballake.” 1997.

Kamele n’goni Lesson 1

The first in a series of videos that explains a little about the world of Kamele ngoni a harp/lute from West Africa.

Lesson 1 talks about kamele n’goni  construction, different tunings, and the teaching methodology for these videos.  The lesson focuses on some simple scales exercises to develop your playing technique.

For a 10 string Kamele ngoni we tune from right to left. So the first string closest to the calabash then going right to left up instrument.

Kamele n’goni lesson 2

Lesson 2 focuses on a some more scales that can be used as exercises or incorporated into African pieces.

Faso Denou – Basic Pattern

Faso Denou is a song from Burkina Faso popularised by the amazing Farafina,

Kamele n’goni lesson – Lome lome lome

Here we demonstrate a rhythm from Burkina Faso for the Kamele n’goni entitled Lome Lome Lome (Always, always, always).

Kamele n’goni lesson – N’goni blues

Some patterns and improvisations to be used in the blues.