Unajua? – A lot of West African instruments are made using dried fruit, or gourds.

Gourds are hard-shell fruits that grow on vines like pumpkins, squash and melons.

Throughout history people around the world, like in West Africa, have used dried gourds to make objects like food and water containers but also musical instruments!

Musical instruments, made from gourds but also other materials like wood and metal, have been an important part of many West African cultures for a very long time.

This article gives you 10 West African instrument names and pictures. You will learn about the instruments, the people that made them and a little bit of history.

This article is part of the the West African Art series

10 Traditional West African Instrument Names and Pictures

Check out this series about Independence Movements in Africa

West African string instruments

#1 West African instrument

Kora instrument

The kora is one of the most famous West African string instruments. They are made from gourds cut in half, attached to a wooden neck and covered with animal skin.

They usually have 21 strings – 11 played by the left hand and 10 by the right. Koras are traditionally played by Mande griots, to share history and stories through song.

The kora has been part of life and culture in West Africa for hundreds of years.

Senegal’s national anthem, by African nationalist Léopold Senghor, is “Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons”, (“Pluck your koras, strike the balafons”).

Mathaz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Léopold Senghor was a famous African nationalist – read about African nationalists over here!

#2 West African instrument

Ngoni instrument

The ngoni is one of the oldest West African string instruments. It is made with wood or gourd and covered with animal skin.

There are many types of ngoni instruments like the jeli ngoni played by griots in songs called Mande fasas and the donso ngoni or “hunter’s harp” played in ceremonies.

Not much is known about the history of the ngoni but it was probably created before the start of the Mali Empire.

The ngoni is still played today by artists like the Grammy nominated Cheick Hamala Diabaté. It was likely made into the banjo by Mande people during American slavery.

kabuto_7, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

11 Types of West African Artifacts And Their Meaning

11 Types of West African Artifacts And Their Meaning

#3 West African instrument

Musical bow instrument

The musical bow is a simple string instrument made with a bent wooden stick connected with a metal cord.

The musical bow needs a soundbox which can be a gourd or the player’s mouth. It can be played with hands or a stick. 

The history of musical bows are a mystery but they can be found across the world like in Eswatini, India and America.

Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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#4 West African instrument

Xalam instrument

The xalam is a traditional West African string instrument with 1 to 5 strings.

The soundbox of the xalam is oval, made of wood and covered with animal skin; its strings are now usually made with nylon fishing lines.

Xalam instrument – back

Traditionally the xalam was played by griots while they told stories. Sometimes it is played alone or with other instruments like the kora and drums.

The ngoni probably influenced the creation of the kora instrument.

 photographer not listed; released into CCO by Smithsonian, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (both images)

West African percussion instruments

#5 West African instrument

Balafon instrument

The balafon is a xylophone and an important West African percussion instrument made with gourds as soundboxes and 10 to 20 keys.

There are many types of balafon instruments like the Gyil. The balafon is like the Southern African and South American marimba but it was created separately.

Oral history says that the balafon was created before the start of the Mali Empire.

The balafon is played across West Africa but more by people like the Senufo and Mande, especially the Mandika in Guinea.

Dr clave, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For Mali Empire art > 11 Types of West African Artifacts And Their Meaning

#6 West African instrument

Shekere instrument

The shereke is a West African percussion instrument made from a gourd covered with a net of beads or cowries.

There are different ways to play the shekere by shaking and hitting it on the hand or in the air orrr by twisting the shereke.

The shekere is a common instrument in West Africa but also around Africa and South America however it was developed by the Yoruba people.

Museu da Abolição (MAB) , CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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10 African Nationalists And Their Contributions

#7 West African instrument

Djembe instrument

The djembe is a famous West African percussion instrument. It is made of wood, often carved with decoration, and covered with animal skin.

The drum can make many different sounds depending on the placements of the players hands.

The djembe has existed for hundreds, and maybe thousands, of years.

The Bambara people say that the djembe was named after the saying “Anke djé, anke bé” which means “everyone gather together in peace”.

Collectie Wereldmuseum (v/h Tropenmuseum), part of the National Museum of World Cultures, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There is more Bambara art there > 11 Types of West African Artifacts

#8 West African instrument

Kashaka instrument

The kashaka is a West African percussion instrument made simply but hard to learn!

A kashaka is made by connecting two small gourds from the fried-egg tree (it’s real) filled with beans (or beads or pebbles or shells or seeds) with a string.

Usually a person holds a kashaka in each hand and plays them by quickly swinging and shaking them.

The kashaka makes a kashakashaka! sound. When played well they can make wonderfully complex rhythms.

Samekoudi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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#9 West African instrument

Agogo instrument

An agogo instrument is a West African percussion instrument made from one or more metal bells.

When an agogo has more than one bell they are not made the same size so that they make different sounds when hit with a stick or pressed together.

The agogo was used by people like the Yoruba to communicate. It was used by town criers to bring people together to listen to important information.

It was developed by the Yoruba and Edo people and used for music and in ceremonies.

The agogo is one of the oldest samba instruments and was taken to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade.

Freddythehat at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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10 FAMOUS AFRICAN WRITERS AND THEIR WORKS IN THE AFRICAN WRITERS SERIES

#10 West African instrument

Udu instrument

The udu is a West African percussion instrument usually made of clay but now also with plastic and glass.

Legend says the udu was invented when someone started drumming a broken water jug. So maybe do the same next time you break something..

The udu was traditionally played by Igbo women in ceremonies. People can play an udu on their lap or on a stand and by quickly hitting the larger hole.

Udu players can play different notes by moving their hand on the smaller hole and hitting the drum with their fingers and toes too!

Xylosmygame at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

!¡! Find a book to read here >> 10 Famous African writers and their works

Continue reading, friend

THINK ABOUT IT! What are instruments made of where you’re at.

Bonus photo just for you!

He that beats the drum for the mad man to dance is no better than the mad man himself.

~ African Proverb ~

Bibliothèque nationale de France, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Word Bank📚🧑🏿‍🏫

Griot

Read More 🙂 

Kora: in search of the origins of west Africa’s famed stringed musical instrument by Eric Charry, Professor of Music, Wesleyan University

References

 

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength – Isaiah 26:4

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