This is a masinko

A masinko is an Ethiopian violin/fiddle played with a bow. This one was a gift to me, and had neither bow nor string. Before I knew anything about it and how it was played, I fashioned a wooden bridge for it and fit it with a fly fishing line string. I play it plucked, and adjust pitch by stopping the string with pinched fingers. It sounds pretty cool that way as a little rhythmic instrument with a nice bouncy yet earthy tone, but you really need to see out sounds or video of a master of this instrument playing it traditionally. Like this guy.