zezehttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zeze_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezeze, n.
Revised 2018

zezenoun

  1. 1860–
    A stringed instrument of eastern and central Africa.
    The shape, size, construction, and manner of playing of the instrument have varied over time and according to geographical location.
    1. 1860
      A combination of the zeze and kinanda is made by binding a dwarf hollow box.
      R. F. Burton in Journal Royal Geogr. Society 1859 vol. 29 371
    2. 1874
      The jantar is identical with the tzetze of Zanzibar and the herrauou of Madagascar, but it has two strings.
      C. Engel, Descriptive Catalogue of Musical Instruments in South Kensington Museum (ed. 2) 162
    3. 1918
      Zeze, or Sese. One string. Three frets. No resonator.
      A. A. Stanley, Catalogue Stearns Coll. Musical Instruments 137
    4. 1978
      A member of the Tanzania National Dance Troupe playing a 13-string zeze.
      Times 19 August 3/3 (caption)
    5. 2011
      The guitar resembled the zeze of the Wagogo peoples.
      A. Perullo, Live from Dar es Salaam ii. 45

zeze, n. was revised in June 2018.

zeze, n. was last modified in December 2024.