Kora

The kora is one of the instruments of the jali, the hereditary musician families of the Mande peoples of West Africa (Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Senegal and The Gambia).

It is made from a large calabash (gourd), cut in half and covered with cowhide to form a resonator, and a long hardwood neck. Two handles at the bottom hold the skin in place. It has up to 21 strings, each playing a different note, which pass over a notched double bridge. The strings are arranged in two rows, making it a double harp. The kora sounds like a harp, although in the traditional style it can resemble a guitar played in the flamenco or Delta blues manner.