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Balafon

One-note Balafon/Xylophone

Democratic Republic of Congo
Kuba

Wood, Gourd, Leather, Raffia
Early 20th century


Idiophone - Struck Directly

Baluba or Basanga People one-note balafon/xylophone (mbila/Kidimbdimba) found in (Zaire) Democratic Repubilic of the Congo. It consists of a single wooden key and a dried gourd used as a resonator. According to Jeremy Montagu, the single bar xylophone is played by elephant hunters (presumably for ceremonial dance rather than to attract elephants.)

 

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Catalog#: AF-IDST-104-49