The umwirongi-agahege is a wooden wind instrument that differs from the umwirongi in that it is held at a slant. This variant of the umwirongi is usually found in the south of the country on the border with Burundi.
The instrument is made of wood or bamboo and is 19-21 cm long with a 2 cm diameter, clearly a lot smaller than the traditional umwirongi. Unlike the umwirongi, it has no U-shaped notch at the top, because the transverse position of the instrument in relation to the mouth determines the flow of air. Usually three or four finger holes (intoboro) are made in the lower part of the instrument.
The technique of overblowing to produce higher notes is not used with the umwirongi-agahege, which means that it has a much more limited range than the umwirongi, usually resulting in an anhemitonic pentatonic scale. It is always played solo and one striking aspect is its limited repertoire, which is intended purely for entertainment.
For more information consult the following publications edited by the RMCA:
© KMMA/Jos GANSEMANS