Description: The kora is a 21 stringed harp lute it is traditionally played by jhaluo (plural of Jhali) or griots. Having 11 strings on the right side and 10 strings on the left side. It is found in Mali, Senegal, Gambia and Guinea. Prior to printed documentation the precise origins of the kora are obscure. Numerous stories have survived through oral transmission. Early European references to the kora are documented by the Scottish Explorer Mungo Park (b. 1771 – d. 1806) whose book “Travels in Interior Districts of Africa” published in 1799 described a type of kora having 18 strings under the name “korro”. Upon the arrival of the 20th century, the appreciation of the kora is widely enjoyed by West African and International audiences. Numerous musicians who play the Kora in West Africa include AlHaji Bai Konte (Brikama, Gambia b. 1920 d. 1982 or 1983), Djeli Moussa Diawara (Kankan Guinea b.1962), Foday Musa Suso (Sarre Hamadi Village, Gambia). The kora is widely appreciated both in West Africa and continues to gain popularity with international audiences.

Relatives of the Kora: The family of African harps is quite broad. Amongst the West African harps includes the 3 to 4 stringed Bolon or by its alternate names bolombata, bolombato or bolumbata it is found in Gambia, Guinea and Mali. A 4 to 6 stringed donsonkoni or dunsunkoni is found in Mali and Guinea. In the Cote de Ivory [Ivory Coast], three harps can be found one called the boroboro having only 2 strings and the kori having 6 strings. The third harp called a “ko” having up to 6 and or 7 strings. In Ghana one fines the 6-stringed Seperewa. A 15 to 20 stringed seron is found in Guinea. In Gambia and Senegal one would find a 5 to 6 stringed simbi. A 22 stringed kora is found in the Cassamence region of Senegal.

Anatomy of the Kora: The Kora is made from medium to large size gourd, a hole is cut into to the centre near the top surface where the calabash was cut. This is for the main shaft to to be inserted too the calabash from the front to the back. A large iron ring is attached to the back of the shaft, the role of the ring functions as a means to hold the strings in place. A shaft is inserted onto the centre of the gourd this provides leverage for the two shafts that serve as handles. Wet animal hide is stretched over the calabash till it dries after the two support shafts are correctly positioned. This allows for musician to hold the instrument in a stable upright position during performance and to provide comfortable support. A bridge is carved from hardwood, usually of ironwood it is placed in between the rows of individual strings. The bridge has notches carved on both side where the strings travel through from the back of the instrument to where the tuning-rings are located. Due to the difficulty of tuning and maintaining the kora, many kora-makers seem to be using a wide variety of means to keep the strings in tune. Kora's frequently more are equipped with modern machine gear tuners as found on the electric guitar or bass guitar.