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Name: Balafon Alternate Name(s): bala,balo Geographic Region: Africa Country of origin: Guinea Subregion: western savannah Climatic type: Savannah Time period: 13th c.- Classification: Idiophone Definition: heptatonic Maninka xylophone in western Africa Material: SvH No.: 111.212 |
Description "Balafon" is a generic term often used for any kind of frame xylophone (wherein the slats are tied to a bamboo frame) in western Africa. The term most likely comes from the bala of the Maninka of Guinea and Mali. Bala fo literally means to "to play the bala" in the Maninka language. Perhaps by a convergence with the English "phone" (sound or voice) the term balafon came into widespread usage. Other than the Maninka bala, the dozens of xylophones in West Africa have their own names. Discography Kersalé, Patrick (producer). 1997. L'art du balafon/The Art of the Balafon. Arion, ARN 60403. Last Modified: 02-Aug-2005 TOP |
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