Wiktionary
n. A West African stringed instrument, resembling a guitar in shape
Wikipedia
Ngoni may refer to:
The ngoni or "n'goni" is a string instrument originating in West Africa. Its body is made of wood or calabash with dried animal (often goat) skin head stretched over it. The ngoni, which can produce fast melodies, appears to be closely related to the akonting and the xalam. This is called a jeli ngoni as it is played by griots at celebrations and special occasions in traditional songs called fasas in Mandingo. Another larger type, believed to have originated among the donso, a hunter and storyteller caste of the Wasulu people is called the donso ngoni. This is still largely reserved for ceremonial purposes. The donso ngoni, or "hunter's harp" has six strings. It is often accompanies singing along with the karagnan, a serrated metal tube scraped with a metal stick. The smaller kamale ngoni has entered popular musical styles such as Wassoulou music.
The ngoni is known to have existed since 1352, when Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan traveller reported seeing one in the court of Mansa Musa. It is believed to have evolved into the banjo in North America after Mande slaves were exported there. Battuta also reported the balafon.
Usage examples of "ngoni".
Beatrice Ngoni, conducting Lennox to the next room, which contained a desk, a pair of computers, and a trio of chrome chairs.
Lennox seated himself on one of the chairs, while Beatrice Ngoni sat down behind her desk.
His excitement at returning to the planet was only minimally greater than his happiness at leaving Beatrice Ngoni and her colleagues behind.
It was possible, of course, that that particular fruit was poison, and that some other fruit would satisfy him, but he decided after the one experience to take Ngoni at her word.
Her first step was to capture and sacrifice three of the inhabitants in question, and turn them over to Beatrice Ngoni and her staff.