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This instrument, called the ngombi, has strings stretched between a stout wooden sound-box covered with a skin (topped with a carved figure) and an arched branch of wood fitted with small tuning pegs. The ten strings (two sets of five that are an octave apart) are plucked with the fingers of both hands.Arched harps, with a curve recalling that of the musical bow, were formerly very widespread in many parts of the world,
especially China and India, although they have virtually disappeared from those regions now. The Burmese harp, in fact, may well be one of the last specimens of the Asian instrument.
On the African continent, however, bowed harps are still very plentiful, and countless versions with strings varying in number from three to four to five to eight to ten, are found from Mauritania to the Cape of Good Hope.

In the Central African Republic, the harp, more often than not, accompanies the vocal repertoire, both epic and lyrical, but it can also be played as a solo instrument. The piece recorded here is sung in praise of the genies by an Ngbaka musician, who accompanies himself on his ngombi. Another singer supplies the response, striking a small double bell of iron with a stick.