West African Kora

The kora is a traditional West African instrument, primarily found in countries like Mali, Senegal, and Guinea. A kora typically weighs between 4 to 7 kilograms (9 to 15 pounds), making it relatively light for its size. The dimensions can vary, but it’s generally about 110 to 120 centimeters long (43 to 47 inches). In the Hornbostel–Sachs system of musical instrument classification, the kora is classified as a “composite chordophone.” This classification is due to its strings being stretched across a bridge that’s mounted on a resonator, similar to harps and lutes. Koras can be quite expensive, with professional instruments costing upwards of a thousand dollars, especially if custom-made or imported. There are different types of koras, including variations in the number of strings, with some modern versions having up to 25 strings. The kora is used in a variety of musical genres, from traditional West African music to fusion genres like Afro-pop. Learning to play the kora traditionally involves oral tradition, where knowledge is passed down from master to apprentice. Players of the kora are called “korafola” or “kora players.” Comes with bag as well.

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