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EveryParampara

Kora

The 21-string harp-lute of the West African griots.

A pattern drawn for this page, not a picture of Kora.

Also: west african harp

The kora is a West African instrument of 21 strings, played by plucking with the thumbs and forefingers, with a large gourd resonator covered with cowhide, and a long neck. It is the instrument of the griots of Mali, Senegal, Gambia and Guinea, who accompany their praise songs and epics with it. The sound is a rippling, harp-like music. Learning it takes years in a family of griots, and the tuning varies by style. Famous players include Toumani Diabate and Sona Jobarteh, the first woman to be recognised among the hereditary kora players. Modern players blend the kora with jazz, blues and classical music.

Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

See also

GriotDjembeSankofa

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