Kissar

Kissar [Gk. kithara], *bowl lyre of E. Africa, a survival of the ancient Gk. lyra, still found in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda. The body is shallow, of wood, covered with a sheepskin membrane laced to the back of the body. The strings—variable in number—are attached to the yoke by tuning rings. See also: gezarke (89 Baines). Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 5th edition. London, 1954.