Okambulumbumbwa – a herdsman’s best friend

This musical instrument is ubiquitous in many layers of bantu society such as the Aawambo, Kavango, Ovaherero, Zemba and even the Khoekhoe

As is the case elsewhere in Africa, the use of musical instruments in Namibia is very specific to customary norms. This means that the name of an instrument in a particular vernacular specifies its construction, the taboos attached to it, as well as the meaning and practices regulating its use.

The okambulumbumbwa (braced bow with resonator) is one of the common instruments in northern Namibia, especially amongst the Aawambo people. This musical bow is very similar to the braced mouth-resonated bow, except that it has a resonator attached.

The okambulumbumbwa is one of the common instruments in northern Namibia, especially amongst the Aawambo people.

The wooden bow is about one metre in length. A sinew or string is looped around both the bow and the string. It pulls the string closer to the bow stave, thus dividing the string into two unequal lengths, or two almost equal lengths, depending on custom.

A small hole is drilled into the other end. Through this a string is passed, looping around the stave and back through the gourd, where it is secured with a small twig. The resonator may be placed more or less in the centre of the bow or to one side. A little pad of cloth or fibre is often fixed between the bow and the resonator to prevent unwanted rattling.

HOW TO PLAY

The bow is held either vertically or horizontally, with the string facing away from the player. The resonator gourd is firmly pressed to the chest or stomach, while the string is struck on either side of the brace with a small wooden stick held in the right hand. The gourd opening can be adjusted,

thereby changing the tones. The left hand grasps the stave to stabilise it against the chest and also stops the string in order to create further fundamentals. This is done by touching the string lightly with the index finger, while the thumb nail works as a stop.

The little finger is able to move the brace slightly for “fine tuning”. Okambulumbumbwa players usually have a clear mental image of the exact tones they want. New players would have to develop an ear for the sounds. The player may create a deep vocal drone, also resonated by the gourd. A player from Ohangwena in the north of the country, Kalilo Nghishakenwa, is able to play a melody of six different tones.

USES

This instrument is played primarily for self-delectation, although other people such as members of a family group may enjoy listening as well. The okambulumbumbwa is usually played by men, either when sitting around the fire or when herding cattle. The Aawambo people, who live a harsh existence for the wellbeing of their livestock, are known to be good okambulumbumbwa players.

For most people, the music of this instrument deals with aspects of their daily lives, such as their animals, and in many cases the singing which accompanies the playing may describe an aspect in the life of a cattle herder, as was the case with some of the songs which Nghishakenwa performed for the writer.

Marx Itamalo