![]() A fixed-key balafon, showing resonators with membrane holes | |
Other names | balafo, bala, balaphone, balaphon, balaphong, balani, gyil, balangi |
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Classification | West African wooden Percussion idiophone with up to 21 keys |
Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 111.212 (Sets of percussion sticks) |
Developed | 12th century or earlier |
Related instruments | |
gyil, marimba, xylophone, gambang kayu | |
Builders | |
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The balafon (pronounced /ˈbæləfɒn/, or, by analogy with xylophone etc., /ˈbæləfoʊn/) is a gourd-resonated xylophone, a type of struck idiophone.[1] It is closely associated with the neighbouring Mandé, Bwaba Bobo, Senoufo and Gur peoples of West Africa,[1][2] particularly the Guinean branch of the Mandinka ethnic group,[3] but is now found across West Africa from Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali.[2] Its common name, balafon, is likely a European coinage combining its Mandinka name ߓߟߊ bala[4] with the word ߝߐ߲ fôn 'to speak'[2][5] or the Greek root phono.[1]