The Heshoosh is a three-stringed, plucked long-necked lute. It is similar to (guinbri or santir) which is found in West Africa and is known as the khalam in Senegal or ngoni in Mali. It is also the ancestor of the American banjo. The Heshoosh is made from a hollowed tree trunk over which goat, camel or cow skin is stretched to form a soundboard. The neck is basically a wooden pole, and the three strings are sheep gut which are very traditional. The strings are tuned in fourths and held with leather bands that serve as tuning pegs.