Our Akadinda is inspired by a traditional xylophone originating in Africa. It is the largest member of the Ugandan percussion family, the Akadinda is perfect for outdoor musical play. This enormous, accessible instrument, will accommodate up to four players and is ideal for bringing people together for impromptu performances.
Great fun to play with substantial resilient notes made from *African padauk hardwood, which give a natural mellow, low tone tuned to the pentatonic scale in C major A2-D5. Because it is so large, its loud!
Traditionally the base of an Akadinda is made from banana stems. With a lack of banana stems available, our frame is made of a treated timber suitable to be installed into the ground or surface mounted. The Akadinda is perfect for improvising and experimenting with music whilst being in the fresh air.
Whether you're a teacher ordering for an outdoor classroom, music garden or music park, or if you're a professional musician, the inclusive Akadinda allows you to make beautiful music, from the very first note on. It will inspire both children and adults, of all ages and abilities, who will be able to create a beautiful combination of musical notes, regardless of whether they have any previous experience playing a musical instrument.
*African padauk hardwood has excellent decay resistance, and is rated as durable to very durable. Padauk is also resistant to termites and other insects. It can be used both outdoors and indoors and has superior weather resistance. It resists rot, and it holds up very well when used outdoors in coastal climates surrounded by salt water. It’s often used to manufacturer
hydraulics (sea water) and shipbuilding (ribs, planks and decks).
It’s moderately heavy, strong, and stiff, with exceptional stability. It's rated at 52.7% harder than Red Oak in the 1970 Janka Rating for hardness. It's frequently used for percussion instruments, and has excellent sound quality when struck with a mallet.
Due to its high strength, durability, outstanding stability and the beautiful tones it emits when struck with a mallet, this wood is often used for both outdoor and indoor musical instruments. It has been used in outdoor applications for centuries in its native Africa. The only maintenance needed is washing the timber using a brush and soapy water, as needed, usually once or twice a year. This will remove algae and lichens where required.
Padauk is an exotic wood that is a bright orange or almost crimson wood when freshly cut, but oxidizes to a darker, rich purple-brown over time - although it stays redder than Indian Rosewood. The Akadinda measures 72”W x 48”D x 44"h.