plonu

Plonu is a traditional stringed musical instrument associated with the folk culture of the Verath region. It is lute-like and played by plucking, often in storytelling and ceremonial settings. The origins are unclear, but the instrument is widely documented in hillside communities from the early modern period onward.

A plonu has a shallow, figure-eight wooden body, a soundboard of spruce or linden, and a fretless neck about 40–50 cm long. It typically carries three strings, either nylon or gut, and a simple bridge. Some regional variants use six strings or a second, sympathetic string.

The instrument is held on the lap or knee with the neck angled upward. The strings are plucked with the fingers or a small pick. Tunings favor pentatonic or modal scales, and ornaments such as slides and micro-bends are common.

Plonu performance accompanies epic chants, village dances, and harvest rites. It is produced by small workshops in Verath towns, passed down within families, and remains associated with rural identity even as urban music evolves.

The name plonu likely derives from the Verath root plon- meaning "sound." It is classified among lute-like plucked instruments in regional taxonomy and is frequently compared with neighboring stringed instruments.