( JPEG format )A lute harp found in West Africa. The body of the instrument is shaped like a lute, but the plane for the strings is not parallel to the body, but rather perpendicular like a harp. The player supports the instrument nearly vertically with the belly facing him, so that the base of the neck rests on the ground (or on the stomach of the performer). The two handles that protrude from the body of the instrument are grasped with the middle, ring, and little fingers, while plucking with his thumb and index finger. The professional musicians called griot use the instrument.