Trough zithers are a group of African stringed instruments or chordophones whose members resemble wooden bowls, pans, platters, or shallow gutters with strings stretched across them. The instruments may be quiet when played, depending upon the shape of the bowl or string-holder. Sound is often amplified with the addition of a resonator, commonly fashioned from a large gourd.

This is an example of a six-string zither. The original resonator is missing, as is typical with most early examples. The slender string board shows raised edges around its entire silhouette and is flared at both ends. At the top of the zither is a finial carved in the form of a small head with elongated neck and open mouth, perhaps portraying a singer. In conjunction with the flared end of the string board, the visual effect is that of a full bust with shoulders. A small piece of string remains attached at the bottom end of the zither.