Last year at the Monopolele Festival in Monopoli, Italy, easily one of the most inspiring ukulele gatherings I’ve ever been to, I met Emma, a French player with a tiny, flat soprano ukulele.

It looked simple, almost unusual, but the sound coming from it was incredible. Curious, I asked if I could try it.

The moment I played the first few notes, I was amazed. It felt comfortable in my hands, easy to play, and had a warm, powerful tone that seemed impossible for such a small instrument.

Almost a year later, I visited the website and became even more fascinated by it. That’s when I got in touch with its creator, Sylvain Enjoubaut, a French luthier who builds Hawaiian and Polynesian-inspired ukuleles.

Sylvain created and patented the MOTU Ukulele in 2010. His goal was to make a simple, affordable, and accessible handmade French instrument for everyone. The Motu Ukulele is built as a solid monobloc plywood design: light, thin, durable, and easy to travel with.

It maintains the tuning, delivers a clear, precise sound, and even includes a rear soundhole that can add expressive “wah-wah” effects while playing. Tuned in standard G-C-E-A, it is designed so anyone can start playing almost immediately.

After talking with Sylvain and sharing ideas, we decided to create the Chui Ukulele (Chui=Leopard in Kiswahili). Inspired by the beautiful leopard pattern, the Chui combines the unique MOTU design with the spirit of the African wilderness.

Just before this year’s Monopolele Festival, Sylvain sent me the first Chui Ukulele. I already loved it in the photos, but seeing it in person was something else. The craftsmanship, the design, and the details are even more beautiful up close. 🙂

In Monopoli, everywhere I played it, people stopped to look, ask questions, and try it for themselves. The response was always the same: surprise and admiration. Despite its simple design, the sound is rich and powerful. This model also comes with a pickup, making it easy to connect to an amplifier for performances or jam sessions.

Since then, the Chui has gone everywhere with me. It’s always in my bag (and we all know a woman’s bag seems to have no bottom!). Lightweight and easy to carry, it’s the perfect travel (and office) companion.

If you’re looking for a unique ukulele that combines creativity, portability, and great sound, the Chui might be the perfect companion for your next musical adventure. Get yours directly from the MOTU website.