gambusi
gah-MBOO-see
How to say it
Swahiligambusigah-MBOO-seesoon
Englishlute (small, of the coast)soon
Frenchluth (petit, de la côte)soon
Meaning
A small pear shaped lute with a short neck and a skin face, played in old taarab and in the music of the Swahili coast and the Comoros.
Good to know
N class noun, the same in singular and plural; also spelled kambusi. The bigger lute of modern taarab is udi.
Examples
- Mzee alipiga gambusi harusini.The old man played the lute at the wedding.
- Sauti ya gambusi ilisikika usiku kucha.The sound of the lute was heard all night.
- Wanamuziki wachache bado wanajua kupiga gambusi.Few musicians still know how to play the gambusi.
Forms
Not yet checked by a native speaker.