All lovers of Algerian Chaabi music must know the Algerian mandole for this instrument is a must in any decent Chaabi performance. It is also used in Kabyle Chaabi or traditional music and in Andalusian music as well.
The Algerian mandole was created in 1930 by a luthier named Bélido after an order by and following the recommendations of Algerian Chaabi master El Hadj Mhamed El Anka. Now it can be found in 4, 5 or 6-course versions. The picture shows a 4-course version held by Algerian luthier Rachid Chaffa who made mandoles for some famous Algerian artists such as Guerrouabi, Amar Ezzahi, Boudjemaa El Ankis, Takfarinas and Maatoub Lounas.
Here is a video featuring Yahia Chellali, another luthier.
Maestro Omar Ait-Vimoun who apparently lives in the US is a knowledgeable mandole player who also teaches (or taught) it at the Pacific Andaluse Conservatory of North African Music. You can listen to samples of his album “Assaru u Stekhvar” here.
Another famous mandole player is probably Mohamed Raouane who was a member of the Mediterraneo band (example of their work here) before he started a solo career dedicated to the mandole which he tries to promote everywhere in the world (cf. his interviews with DjazairNews, Ennahar and MBC).
