Bodo Gongona

The Gongona is a traditional jaw harp in Bodoland, Assam, made of a single piece of seasoned bamboo with a bifurcation at one end. The performer holds the instrument in their left hand and places it on their mouth, striking the free ends repeatedly with their fingers to produce the distinctive sound. The resonating lines are carved in a way that does not touch the external semi-flexible frame. The pitch of a Gongona is determined by several factors, including length, width, and quality at the base of the resonating lines. To raise the pitch, the lines at the free end are moved, while to lower the pitch, the strength at the base is reduced. The resonating lines are never touched, but the semi-flexible frame is plucked. The Gongona is made of flat bamboo with one internode ranging from 6" to 7" in length and 0.5" to 0.75" in breadth.