Pluriarc

{{Short description|West African string instrument}}

{{redirect|Paata|the given name|Paata (name)}}

{{redirect|Quashi|the ethnic slur targetted at black people|List of ethnic slurs#Q}}

{{Expand German|Pluriarc|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox instrument

| name = Pluriarc

| image = COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Meervoudige muziekboog TMnr A-10433.jpg

| alt =

| names = bow lute, paata, mapu, luku, kissanga

| classification =

• String
• Chordophone
• Lute

| hornbostel_sachs = 321.1

| hornbostel_sachs_desc = Bow lute

| range =

| related = Harp, Lute, Musical bow, Masenqo, Gusle, Igil, Krar

}}

The pluriarc, also called paata, mapu, luku,{{Cite web |url=https://omeka1.grinnell.edu/MusicalInstruments/items/show/563 |title=pluriarc · Grinnell College Musical Instrument Collection |website=omeka1.grinnell.edu |access-date=2019-10-15}} kissanga, and bow lute{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/pluriarc |title=Pluriarc {{!}} musical instrument |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en |access-date=2019-10-15}} is a stringed musical instrument of West Africa, classified as a type of lute. It has a hollow body and several curved, pliable necks made of reeds. The strings stretch from the necks to the bridge, which stands approximately {{convert|1.5|in}} above the body. The body may be round, rectangular, or triangular, and is usually made of light wood.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rogerblench.info/Ethnomusicology/Papers/Africa/Cameroun/Cameroun%20musical%20instruments%20book.pdf |title=A guide to the musical instruments of Cameroun: classification, distribution, history and vernacular names |last=Blench |first=Roger |date=31 July 2009 |website= |publisher=Kay Williamson Educational Foundation |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-10-16}} The top of the body can either be a separate board, bound or nailed to the lower part, or made from the same piece of wood as the rest. A hole may exist on the underside that can be opened or closed to change the timbre.{{Cite web |url=http://music.africamuseum.be/instruments/english/congo%20drc/longombe.html |title=Longombe |website=music.africamuseum.be |access-date=2019-10-16}}

It is played by plucking the strings, which are usually open but sometimes contain a stop. The strings may be plucked with fingers or a plectrum. The flexible nature of the necks means the instrument cannot be tuned precisely.

Pluriarc designs have been characterized into three types by country of origin: those of southwestern Africa, central west Africa, and western Nigeria.