The prempensua is a lamellaphone used by the Akan from Ghana, where it replaces the traditional drums such as the atumpan, apentemma and the petia. Three lamellae (in some cases five), each with a different sound, are fitted onto a large rectangular wooden box that serves as the resonator and amplifies the sounds produced by the lamellae, which play ostinato figures.
The instrument has a rounded bass tone. The timbre can be enriched by attaching small metal plates to the instrument. When one of the lamellae is plucked, these metal plates vibrate, thus changing the timbre. The musician sits on the prenpensua as he plays the instrument with the fingers of both hands.
© RMCA/Dominik PHYFFEROEN