Kora (instrument)
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The kora (French: cora) is a 21 string harp-lute used extensively by Mandingo peoples in West Africa.
Description
It uses a large calabash cut in half and covered with cow skin as a resonator, and has a notched bridge like a lute or guitar. The sound of a kora is like a harp, though when played in the traditional style, it bears a closer resemblance to flamenco guitar techniques. The player uses only thumb and index finger of both hands to pluck the strings in polyrhythmic patterns. Ostinato riffs ("Kumbeng") and improvised solo runs ("Biriminting") are played at the same time by skilled players.
Kora players have traditionally come from griot families (traditional entertainers and narrators of stories) who pass their skills on to their descendants. It is played in Mali, Guinea and Senegal, but is most common in The Gambia.
History
The earliest reference to the kora in Western literature is in Travels in Interior Districts of Africa (1799) by the Scottish explorer Mungo Park.
In the late 20th century, a 25-string model of the kora was developed, though it has been adopted by only a few players, primarily in the region of Casamance, in southern Senegal. An electric instrument modeled on the kora (but made primarily of metal) called the gravikord was invented in the late 20th century by instrument builder Robert Grawi.
Notable kora players
- Moussa Kouyate (Mali)
- Batrou Sekou Kouyate (Mali)
- Toumani Diabaté (Mali)
- Mamadou Diabaté (Mali)
- Amadou Kouyate (United States)
- Toumany Kouyate (Senegal)
- Djimo Kouyate (Senegal)
- Morikeba Kouyate (Senegal)
- N'Faly Kouyate (Guinea)
- Alhaji Bai Konte (Gambia)
- Tunde Jegede (United Kingdom)
- Foday Musa Suso (Gambia)
- Papa Susso (Gambia)
External links
- [Cora Connection]
- [Kora Music]
- [Malian kora musician, Mamadou Diabaté]
- [Malian kora musician, Moussa Kouyate]
- [Allmusic.com]
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