Mpingo and woodwind instrument making : does it have a future?

Abstract

Dalbergia melanoxylon sometimes known as grenadilla, African blackwood, or by its Swahili name, mpingo, is an extremely important part of woodwind instrument making, particularly for flutes, piccolos, oboes, English horns, and clarinets. The future of mpingo has come into question for many musicians as it had been predicted in 1992 that the supply of timber, from the African countries Mozambique and Tanzania, would run out. While the supply is not likely to disappear in the near future, there is cause for concern. Musicians must not take mpingo for granted. It may be that musicians and instrument makers will have to help support conservation efforts and sustainable harvesting of mpingo.