Banji - plural of banjo - which is a four-, five- or (occasionally) six-stringed instrument with a thin membrane stretched over a frame or cavity as a resonator. The membrane is typically a piece of animal skin or plastic, and the frame is typically circular. Simpler forms of the instrument were fashioned by Africans in
Colonial America, adapted from several African instruments of similar design.
The banjo is frequently associated with country, folk, Irish traditional and bluegrass music. Historically,
the banjo occupied a central place in African American traditional music, before becoming popular in the
minstrel shows of the 19th century. In fact, slaves both were influenced by and influenced the early development of the music, which became country and bluegrass, particularly in regards to the innovation of musical techniques for both the banjo and fiddle. The banjo, with the fiddle, is a
mainstay of American old-time music. Although rare, a "gaggle" (more than 1 player) of
banji can be performed at one time.
Despite popular beliefs, and tolerated but generally accepted throughout the English speaking word, the word "banjoes" is not and has never been correct. The earliest known use of the word of Banji was from the book "I play banji" by John
Silverman - 1884.
- Yeah...
I own a
multitude of
banji.
- I have many banji in my collection.
