Alounloun

Alounloun is a Beninese musical instrument, used to play music called Adjogan. It is a stick with metallic rings attached which jingle in time with the beating of the stick. The alounloun is said to descend from the staff of office of King Te-Agdanlin.[1] The Alounloun was established for the royal court in the Porto-Novo area and was initially intended to be a symbol of the king's power. It become a tradition to use the Alounloun to honor eminent officials in the royal court.[2] An Alounloun is on display at the Royal Palace Museum in Porto-Novo.[2]

References

  1. ^ "The Alounloun (Stamping Stick)". Virtual Museum. http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Instruments/Anglais/measa_j_txt04a_en.html. Retrieved 14 June 2011. 
  2. ^ a b Kraus, Erika; Reid, Felicie (26 January 2010). Benin (Other Places Travel Guide). Other Places Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 9780982261910. http://books.google.com/books?id=op5eAvnZfG0C&pg=PA113. Retrieved 14 June 2011.