The obokano is a large plucked lyre played by the Gusii tribe of Western Kenya. It is passed down from one generation to another within a clan. Traditionally it is only played by strong elderly men because it is taboo for women to play it. The instrument has a large resonator that is only made from the soft wood of a special tree called the omotembe. The resonator is covered with cow skin and the eight strings are made of cow tendons. The instruments signature buzzy sound is created when the strings hit reeds that are held in place by wax on the front of the instrument.
