Enkyeka

The enkyeka is simply a medium-sized gourd with which a man - who is crouching down, kneeling or sitting - beats an additional rhythm on the hard ground.

To make an enkyeka, a suitable gourd is picked and laid out to dry for a few days. The top is then cut off and small stones are put inside the gourd. The gourd is shaken forcefully; this makes it easy to remove the soft insides.

The enkyeka was found only among the Iru, but even though it added a specific timbre to the other instruments, it has fallen completely into disuse.

for more information see also: VAN THIEL, Paul, "Multi-Tribal Music of Ankole. An ethnomusicological study including a glossary of musical terms." Edited by the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Annales, Sciences Humaines, nr 91, 1977, 234 pp.