Malika
Fairly traded goods from the Sahara region of West Africa. www.malika.org.uk
Percussion Instruments & Koras
We stock various small percussion instruments, all of which are derived from natural or recycled materials. We have a wide variety of shackers and rattles from £2.50, drum covers and bags from £20.00. Visit store 
Kora (21 stringed African Harp) £160.00 The kora is a 21 string West African harp lute traditionally played by griots or hereditary storytellers of the Mande culture (Mandinka, Maninka, Malinke) as a musical accompaniment to their epic tales. Today the kora has become a very popular instrument used in pop, world and jazz music. Traditionally found in parts of Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast, the kora is one of a family of harp lutes with the same basic construction of a large gourd resonator covered by animal hide (antelope or cow), with a long pole neck.
Balafon (xylophones) from £40.00 
Our balafons (xylophones), are made by a professional balafon player from a long lineage of Griot tradition. His family came from Mali to Gambia several generations ago. Kouyate is now in his 70s, but his workmanship remains of the highest quality. The wooden keys are smoked for 2 weeks to get all the moisture out for optimum sound, and gourds are placed underneath at strategic intervals to obtain the right octave.
Our balafons (xylophones), are made by Kouyate, a professional balafon maker and player with over 50 years of experience. Kouyate is from a long lineage of Griot tradition. His family came from Mali to Gambia several generations ago. Kouyate is now in his 70s and his workmanship means that Balaphones made by him are really sought after. The wooden keys are smoked for 2 weeks to get all the moisture out for optimum sound, and gourds are placed underneath at strategic intervals to obtain the right octave.
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