This handmade traditional Malagasy (Madagascar) Valiha tube zither is made from a local species of bamboo, and is considered the “national instrument” of Madagascar and a symbol of its national unity. This relatively petit instrument has 16 wire strings and is about 18.5” long. It has adjustable tuning pads. The tube of the instrument is covered with shallow carvings of the words "Nosy Be" (a Madagascar island),!a bull, a face as well as Madagascar’s iconic lemur and a variety of trees.
This Valiha zither is a rare find for string instrument enthusiasts.
Under the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, the Madagascar Valiha is classified as a whole tube zither stringed instrument because the tube functions as both the neck and the soundbox simultaneously. The delicate strings are plucked from the instrument’s bamboo tube. Known for its rich and unique sound, the Valiha is a distinctive musical instrument that holds cultural significance.
Historically, it is thought that the plucked chordophone “tube zither” was invented in Indonesia or Australia and the Valiha was brought to Madagascar over 2000 years ago from South East Asia by Indian traders. A commonly believed legend in Madagascar is that the valiha was "inherited from the biblical King David" (known for playing the lyre), as part of a larger origin myth of the Jewish provenance of the Malagasy people.
The instrument has been held in high regard among the Malagasy particularly during the Merina Kingdom rule (1540-1897) over the island. It was socially accepted that having long fingernails, ideal for plucking its strings, were marks "distinguishing the aristocracy from the laborers". Aside from recreational music, the valiha is also used for ritual music to summon spirits in religious ceremonies. Today, it is considered the symbol of Malagasy music.