Balangi

A Xylophone-like musical instrument, called a Balangi, 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 15 gourd fruits underneath. It was obtained from Chief Alimamy Bombo Lahai, the king of Tonkolambah , in 1909. Tonkolambah may refer to a Tonko Limba Chiefdom in Port Loko. For more information see T.J. Alldridge, The Sherbro and its Hinterland, 1901, page 289.

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Further Information

• Type: Musical instruments
• Object: Balangi
• Materials: Wood, Vegetable, organic fibre
• Culture Group: Mandingo, Other, Kuranko
• Dimensions: 280mm x 920mm [L] x 530mm
• Production Date: Pre 1909
• Associated Places: Port Loko
• Associated People: F. J. Cutting (Donor)
• Museum: Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
• Accession Number: BMAG:R915

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