African Uhadi
The uhadi is one of Southern Africa’s oldest indigenous stringed instruments, with roots in the musical traditions of the Khoi and San (Bushmen). Originally derived from the hunting bow, it was first used to test string tension and resonance, producing subtle overtones while resting against the body or a resonating gourd. Over time, this simple bow evolved into a powerful storytelling and ceremonial instrument, used to accompany songs, oral histories, and spiritual expression.
In the AIR Project, participants are taught how to make and play the uhadi using traditional methods, reconnecting craft, sound, and story. More than an instrument, the uhadi is a vessel of memory—carrying ancestral knowledge, rhythm, and voice into the present.
