N'vike

The n'vike (alternately novike, n'vique, nobike) is a bowed string instrument native to the indigenous Toba people of the Gran Chaco of South America.

The term n'vike has no equivalent in English, but refers to the act of a jaguar sharpening his claws on a tree.

Form

The novike is a monochord which is bowed with a string bow, called checne'c. Originally, the string (lket) was made from the mane of a peccary, but after the arrival of the Spanish horsehair replaced it.

The monochord is placed atop a resonating body such as a calabaza gourd, an armadillo shell, or a sheet of tin with an opening in the top.