Valihas

Scope note

Zitherlike chordophones of Madagascar, varying regionally in form. The most common type is of bamboo with from seven to twenty strings raised at both ends by small bridges; the strings, traditionally cut from the outer layer of the bamboo, are nowadays of metal. They are plucked with the fingers while held in an upright position. For similar chordophones from Timor, use "sesandos."