The rhythm stick is one of the simplest of idiophones. It can be composed of any material that has its own resonance. Utility objects are particularly frequently integrated into a musical context and are used to maintain or strengthen the rhythmic pulse, in addition to their daily function as an object. As regards sound, a clear and high pitch is preferred that supplements the rest of the percussion, or to act as a rhythmical pulse for group singing. Generally the pattern is the same throughout the entire song and sometimes it is no more than a beat on each count.
Utensils such as bottles, cooking pots, and certainly agricultural materials such as metal hoes are very popular because of their clear resonance when struck with another hard object (hard wood, metal nails). Striking a calabash with a wooden stick is a frequently used method as the calabash body acts as a soundbox when attached to a lamellaphone or xylophone. The rhythm stick is not so much an instrument in which its maker can display his talents, but more a handy utensil that can be readily used to add a rhythmic pulse to the music.
This type of instrument is used in recordings of our sound archives made with the Congolese peoples mentioned hereafter where it appears with the following vernacular names:
Olondo (Mongo, Tetela)
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