| Malian musicians
use lots of fascinating instruments from drums to elaborate stringed lutes, as well as
modern acoustic and electric guitars.
ngoni is a banjo-like lute made from hollowed-out
wood with a dried animal skin stretched over it. It has three to five strings and the neck
is made from a piece of dowelling. Because the ngoni is a quiet instrument it is now
usually played with an electric pick-up. The ngoni was once played by West African slaves,
and developed into the banjo.
djembe is a drum.
kora is a sort of harp made from a calabash
(a large, hollow gourd) with up to 25 strings.
fle,
is a kind of shaker made from a calabash with cowrie shells strung round it. It is shaken
and thrown by Wassoulou women, to produce a sound like a maraca.
For more information there is a link to the 'Kora
connection' web-site on the useful links page. |
