What is a Masenqo?

A masenqo (also spelled masinko) is a traditional one-string bowed instrument from Ethiopia. It has a square or diamond-shaped resonating body made from wood and covered with animal skin, with a long neck extending from the body. A single string runs from the neck to the base of the instrument.

The masenqo is played with a bow while the musician changes pitch by moving their fingers along the string. Because the instrument has only one string and no frets, performers create melodies by sliding their fingers to different positions, allowing for expressive pitch changes and subtle variations in tone.

The instrument is strongly associated with azmari, traditional Ethiopian singer-musicians who perform songs that often include storytelling, humor, or social commentary. The masenqo accompanies these performances with melodic lines and rhythmic patterns, making it an important instrument in Ethiopian musical and cultural traditions.