Balafon (Xylophone)
Bulufon (xylophone) made of bottle gourds and Tengue wood. Set of mallets are included
Madinga, West Africa
Gambia, Burkina Faso
- Object: Balafon (Xylophone)
- Artist: -
- Circa: -
- Dimensions: 5'L 25"W 14"H
- Culture Area: Africa
- Cultural Group: Mandinga
- Cultural Context: The African balafon is the traditional xylophone of the Mande people in West Africa. This artifact was donated to our museum in 2011 and records of the balafon instrument date back to at least the 12th century. The balafon has seen a resurgence since the 1980’s in the growth of African Roots music and World music. In 2001, this unique instrument was named by UNESCO as one of the Nineteen Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Even today, the African balafon tradition continues to play an important role in preserving the cultural identity of the peoples in West Africa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z97mqEil3Ww
- Donor: Daouda and Tabitha Traore
- Catalog #: 111.000