Balangi

A xylophone-like musical instrument, called a balangi, or balanjii, consisting of a series of wooden tone bars or keys attached to a wooden frame with small gourd resonators underneath, played with two beaters. It is particularly associated with the Kuranko, and other ethno-linguistic groups of Mande origin, in northern Sierra Leone. This one has 15 wooden rungs and 16 gourd fruits underneath.

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Further Information

  • Type: Musical instruments
  • Object: Balangi
  • Materials: Wood, Vegetable, organic fibre, Textile
  • Culture Group: Kuranko
  • Dimensions: 810mm [L] x 495mm [W] x 180mm [C]
  • Production Date: Pre 1953
  • Associated Places: Unknown
  • Associated People: G. Smyly; P. Crampton Smyly
  • Museum: British Museum
  • Accession Number: BM:Af.1953.25.14

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