Kora

West Africa · strings · music

21 Magical Strings. A kora has 21 strings that create wonderful sounds when you pluck them with your fingers. Each string can make a different note, letting musicians play complex and beautiful melodies.

West African Treasure. The kora comes from West Africa and has been used there for hundreds of years. It's especially important in countries like Guinea, Mali, and Senegal, where storytellers and musicians play it.

Harp and Lute Mix. The kora combines features of two other instruments: the harp and the lute. It looks a bit like both of them, with strings stretched across a wooden frame that you hold while playing.

Storyteller's Instrument. In West African traditions, kora players are often griots, which means they're musicians and storytellers who share history and important tales through music. The kora helps them tell these stories beautifully.