We have the workshop for creating your original paint “Asalato” during the summer season. Fee: 1,404 yen per person. Open for children and adults for all levels of the experience. Bring home your finished “Asalato”as your souvenir. The workshop is limited for the summer, so join us!
- What is Asalato?
- “Asalato” is originated in Ghana, Senegal, or Mali of the west Africa. In 1980‘s, Mr. Aja Addy who is a master drummer from Ghana introduced “Asalato” and distributed the name of the particular musical instrument in Japan. Since then, it has been called “Asalato” by many people.
- However, “Asalato” is not the only name for the musical instrument. It has been called many different ways such as Asalato, Televi, Telepi, Batica, Bulani, Banakula, or Keskes.
- While the musical instrument has wildly spread in the west African, its name has been changed through various differed people, languages, or intonations. As a result, it has begun to be called differently like a nickname.
- The origin of this African musical instrument is wooden toys in Ghana, Senegal, or Mali. The Wooden toys which mothers give to their children are called “Asalato” in these nations. If we compare the toys in Japan, those might be similar to the traditional Japanese toys like Ayatori, Ken-dama, denden-daiko, or Otedama.
- This musical instrument is called differently by its material. Made of the wood→Asalato Made of the nut→Batica Made of the plastic→Patica (“Patica” is registered as a trademark by Mr. Kengo Yoshida.)
- What is Asalato made of ?
- Asalato is made from the nut of Oncoba Spinosa. It is the plant of the salicaceae or willow family. The flower of Oncoba Spinosa blooms right before the new leaves are produced.
- Its blooming season is about 3 months from September to December in Southern Africa.
- Oncoba Spinosa is widely grown in eastern to southern area of Africa. Mainly, it grows in the dried forest, the river valley or the rocky hill of the open Savanna. The most northern part where Oncoba Spinosa can be grown is the eastern side of the red sea in Arabia.
- The red seeds with a black spot on their surface are inside Asalato. These are the seeds of Ormosia Coccinea which classifies as the beans family of the Ormosia genus. In Peru, the seeds are called Huayruro and wore as the amulet, good luck charm or the accessary.
