Balafon
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The balafon is a gourd-resonated xylophone, a type of struck idiophone. It is closely associated with the neighbouring Mandé, Bwaba, Bobo, Senoufo and Gur peoples of West Africa, particularly the Guin
A fixed-key balafon, showing resonators with membrane holes
Children from Burkina Faso performing in Warsaw, Poland, during the 5th Cross Culture Festival, September 2009
Gum-rubber mallets on a balafon
Djembe and balafon, Guinea
Sundiata Keita
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Sundiata Keita was a prince and founder of the Mali Empire. He was also the great-uncle of the Malian ruler Mansa Musa, who is regarded as the wealthiest person of all time, although there are no reli
Balafon
…named Bala Faséké Kouyaté convinced Sosso king Sumanguru Kante to employ him after sneaking into Sumanguru's palace and playing the sacred instrument. Sundiata Keita, founder of the Mali Empire overthrew Sumanguru, seized the balafon, and made the griot Faséké its guardian. This honor is said to have passed down…
A modern balafon. The balafon plays an important role in the Epic of Sundiata. The magical balafon belonging to Soumaoro Kanté was stolen by Sundiata Keita's griot - Balla Fasséké and taken to Mandinka country.
Terracotta archer figure from Mali (13th-15th century), with a quiver on his back. The bow and quiver of arrows were the symbols of power in Imperial Mali.