Classic Gita

Product Description

This traditional gita (GHEE-tuh) is crafted in the style of Burkina Faso by cultural artisans in Ghana, featuring a leather edge cover, burned designs, and hand crafted glass korob beads. The traditional gita is made of half of a calabash gourd with bead or shell pairs attached around the open rim. It can be played like a drum, producing similar stroke sounds as membranophone hand drums, or it can be girated in two hands causing the shells to hit against the gourd in rhythm. The gita is traditionally played both as a percussion instrument and as a dance prop in creating choreographed percussion movement and sound. The gita is also a great center piece as home decor, or for use as a bowl, which is how calabash gourds are used everyday in Africa. Each gita is hand made in Ghana using traditional methods and features:

• Strong half gourd with smoothed edges, about 12 inches diameter, 6 inches high
• 15-18 pairs of unique, durable glass beads attached around the open edge with leather
• Dyed goat hide leather covering the open edge for protection and aesthetics
• Unique artwork designs etched into the gourd according to the artists tastes
• Hand crafted in Ghana using traditional methods and quality materials
• Made by cultural artisans supported in their livelihood by non-profit Africa Heartwood Project.
• The purchase of this product sustains livelihoods for cultural artisans in West Africa.