The ukeke is an Indigenous Hawaiian string instrument that is a type of musical bow. It has two or three strings strung along the length of a thin piece of wood (often koa). The instrument is played by plucking the strings while one end is held up to the mouth, which functions as a resonating chamber. The ukeke is used to accompany hula and mele, and, traditionally, it was employed for romantic serenades.
Musical Bow: "Ukeke"
- Notes
- From card: "See Bulletin 38 Bu Am Eth pp 147 to 149."
- Object was on display in National Museum of Natural History exhibit "Na Mea Makamae o Hawai'i - Hawaiian Treasures", 2004-2005.
- From Musical Instrument cards: "A stick of ulei wood flat on its face and rounded at back. One end is cut in fish tail form in opposite end are 3 small holes about 1/4 inch apart. It is strung with 3 strings of twisted 2 ply cocoanut fiber. one end is passed thru the small hole and knotted, the other stretched or wound aroud the waist of the fish ? They are tuned to suit the players ear more commonly used to accompany amorous ditties [sic] in love making. Originally the strings were like those in this specimen. After teh white man's arrival they were of horse hair and of late gut violin strings are used. There should be 2 pieces of wood placed near the ends of the strings between them and the wood of the bow, to act as bridges. They are missing."
- Record Last Modified
- 1 May 2024
- Specimen Count
- 1
- Data Source
- NMNH - Anthropology Dept.
- Collector
- Dr. Nathaniel B. Emerson
- Donor Name
- Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
- Accession Date
- 21 Dec 1909
- Object Type
- Musical Bow
