Herrauou

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments the *Herrauou* is a captivating example of late 19th-century Malasy craftsmanship. Hailing from Madagascar, this chordophone-zither-plucked measures 35.6 cm in length and embodies the rich musical traditions of the Malag people. As a zither, it features strings stretched across a resonant body, designed to be plucked by hand, producing melodic tones that likely accompanied storytelling, rituals, or communal gatherings. Crafted from wood and gourd, the *Herrauou* highlights resourceful use of natural mat...