Balafon

West Africa · musical instrument · percussion

Wooden bars and gourds. The balafon is made of wooden bars laid across a frame, with dried gourds hanging underneath each bar. When you hit the wooden bars with mallets, the gourds vibrate and make the sound deeper and richer.

Home in West Africa. The balafon comes from West African countries like Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso. It is especially important to Mandinka people and other groups in that region who have played it for hundreds of years.

Struck idiophone. Musicians call the balafon a struck idiophone, which means it makes sound when you strike it. The name balafon probably comes from a Mandinka word combined with a word meaning 'to say,' because the instrument tells stories through music.

Community instrument. The balafon has long been a part of celebrations, ceremonies, and storytelling in West African communities. Skilled balafon players are respected musicians who keep cultural traditions alive.