This is the largest of five south-east African Bantu single-string musical bows, made from wood and gourd materials. Originally harvested from uthaka vine of the high Zululand cliff faces, the single string is today made from thin-gauge metal wire, usually shop-bought or obtained from unravelling an ankle-bangle. Ugubhu is played on using a dried stalk of uqunga grass, to accompany the slow amahubo dirges employed in indigenous storytelling and ceremonial song.