No 12, is called by the negroes saka-saka, being a hollow gourd, with a stick and handle fixed through it, and filled with small pebbles and pease, not unlike the magic shell of the Indians. This they hold above their heads, and while they dance rattle it to measure.
Musical Instruments of the African Negroes.
London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.
No 13, is a conch, or sea-shell, which by blowing they [[287]]sound, for pleasure, or to cause an alarm, &c. but is not used as an accompaniment to dancing.
No 14, is called benta, being a branch bent like a bow by means of a slip of dry reed or warimbo; which cord, when held to the teeth, is beaten with a short stick, and by being shifted backwards and forwards sounds not unlike a jew’s-harp.
No 15, is the Creole-bania, this is like a mandoline or guitar, being made of a half gourd covered with a sheep-skin, to which is fixed a very long neck or handle. This instrument has but four strings, three long and one short, which is thick, and serves for a bass; it is played by the fingers, and has a very agreeable sound, but more so when accompanied by a song.
No 16, is the trumpet of war, to command advancing, retreating, &c. and is called by the negroes the too-too.
No 17, is a horn used to supply the place of the other, or on the plantations to call the slaves to work.
No 18, is the Loango too-too or flute, which they blow as the Europeans do, after the common way. It has but four holes for the fingers, and yet they make it produce a variety of sounds.—Such are the musical instruments of our African brethren, to which they dance with more spirit than we do to the best band in Europe.