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Balafon

Luba Ceremonial Balafon - 6 Bars

Democratic Republic of Congo
Luba

Wood, Gourd
Early 20th century

Height: 30cm / Length: 55cm / Width: 35 cm
Idiophone - Struck Directly

This older Luba balafon from the field shows finely detailed figures on each leg with beautiful cowries added on the sides. Under the six wooden bars are calabash gourd resonators of graduated sizes. In each gourd is a small hole covered with a membrane made of thin spider's egg case filiment. The membranes add a continuous nasal buzzing sound when played with the bats.

 

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-IDST-156