The gyil is the favourite musical instrument among the Lobi, the Dagati and the Sissala. Every man among these peoples is able to play the gyil to a greater or lesser extent.
This xylophone consists of fourteen wooden keys supported by a rectangular frame which is made up of six vertical sticks secured at the bottom and at the top to a framework of wooden slats by means of leather straps. The fourteen keys are held together with a leather strap and hang above the rectangular frame. Beneath every key a string holds a gourd, which acts as a resonator. There are several holes in the gourd and these holes are covered with a membrane that is made by spiders to cover up their eggs. This membrane vibrates each time the key is struck and determines the timbre with the 'buzz' sound that is generated.
The two sticks are made from hard wood and two rubber balls made from
old car tyres are glued onto the top.
There are different types of gyil, depending on the social context in
which the music is played. Some are made to be played only at funerals,
others are reserved for initiation rituals, and others still are for
secular purposes.
© RMCA/Dominik PHYFFEROEN