The Dende, which is also known as a bow instrument is played in South Africa in the northern part called Limpopo, and more predominantly by the VhaVenda. Dende was discovered by the Bushmen hunting, when the arrow leaves the bow there was a certain noise or notes that remained after. So that is how this instrument was born and the Venda’s adopted it from there and improved it to suit their style of music. Now Dende it’s associated to the Vhavenda people.

 It can be described as a bow instrument because of its shape and the way it is played. A wire is attached to a piece of curved wood; the wire must be very tight and divided in the middle by a small wire to get different notes.  To get extra or special notes a calabash is fixed in the hub which works as a resonator. To play the instrument you use a special handpicked grass, which is strong not to break in the process. Tuning this instrument depends according to personal preference and the style of play. Dende is played in any occasion (happy or sad moments), from social gatherings to religious ceremonies.