Bodo Gongona
Musical Instrument
History
Gongona is a vibrating bamboo reed instrument. The Gongona is a form of jaw harp, a vibrating reed instrument mainly utilized in the traditional Bihu music of Assam.
Raw Materials and Tools
Gongonas are made from a single piece of seasoned bamboo, typically selected for its durability and resonance. The quality of bamboo influences the sound, with factors like thickness and flexibility playing a crucial role. No additional materials are used apart from occasional decorative elements or natural finishes.
Process
Gongonas are crafted from a single piece of seasoned bamboo, with a central resonating strip carefully shaped to avoid contact with the outer frame. The pitch depends on the strip’s length, width and shape, and tinsel quality at the base. To raise the pitch, the free end is thinned to reduce mass. To lower the pitch, the base is thinned to decrease tinsel strength, allowing precise control of the sound.
Design and Color
It is crafted from a section of bamboo that has a split at one end. The solid end is held between the teeth, while the free ends are struck repeatedly with the fingers to produce the unique sound of the Gongona.
Product Range
There are two variations of the instrument. The first is the short and broad ramdhan gongona, typically played by men. The second is the longer lahori gogona, used by women and often integrated into a hairpin worn during traditional Bihu dancing.