The balafon is a type of struck idiophone, specifically a gourd-resonated xylophone. It is closely associated with the Gur, Mandé, and Senufo peoples of West Africa, especially the Mandinka ethnic group’s Guinean branch. However, it is now prevalent throughout West Africa from Mali to Guinea. The term balafon is likely a European creation that merges the Mandinka name bala with the Greek root phono.
The balafon’s bamboo frame holds wooden keys that were originally made out of rosewood. In the creation of this instrument, the wood must be meticulously selected – often sourced from the tree known as béné – and subjected to a series of intricate procedures: cutting, carving, kiln-baked, adjusting, and repeated visits to the fire. This demanding process is both lengthy and delicate, as every last drop of moisture must be extracted. And when it comes to selecting the gourds, it is not just any calabash that will do. It is no wonder, then, that this instrument is imbued with a certain vitality – it must mature, like a living entity, in order to achieve its optimal tonal quality.
Artisans typically use hand tools to create the instruments, hewing out the keys with a knife. Then, each key is tied to the frame using a single cord on each side. This means that if one key comes loose, all the keys must be removed and re-tied. Balafons usually have 21 keys, but they vary slightly, with some having 22. After the frame is built, calabashes (gourds), are attached underneath to add resonance. Essentially, these act as natural sound amplifiers.
Each gourd is cut and tuned to match the keys. Next, a few holes are then cut in each gourd to increase the buzz effect. Nowadays, balafon makers sometimes use electronic tuning devices instead of tuning by ear, and the gourd’s holes are covered with plastic rather than the traditional spider web covering.
(images above: West African bala with gum rubber mallets from Mali)
History
The balafon’s oral histories date back to at least the 12th century CE, coinciding with the rise of the Mali Empire. The Manding name for the balafon is bala, but variations exist across West Africa, including the balangi of the Susu in Sierra Leone; the balo of the Mandinka people in the Gambia; and the gyil of the Dagara, Lobi, and Gurunsi in Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast.
Famous balafon players
Aly Keïta – Notable balafon player, originally from Guinea but now based in Germany. He is known for his innovative approach to the instrument, incorporating elements of jazz and other genres into his playing.
Balla Kouyate – Malian-Guinean balafon player who has gained international recognition for his performances and recordings. He comes from a long line of griots, or West African storytellers and musicians, and his music reflects the rich history and culture of his people. He is based in the United States.
Djiby Diabate – Rising star in the world of balafon playing, hailing from the West African country of Senegal. He is known for his energetic and dynamic playing style and has been praised for his ability to fuse traditional rhythms with contemporary sounds.
Djiguiya – Percussion band from Burkina Faso that incorporates the balafon into their music. They are known for their high-energy performances and their ability to blend traditional rhythms with modern influences.
El Hadj Djeli Sory Kouyate – Respected griot and balafon master player from Guinea. He has been performing and recording music for decades and is known for his skillful playing and deep knowledge of West African musical traditions.
Famoro Dioubate – Guinean balafon player who has collaborated with a wide range of musicians from around the world. He moved to the New York area, where he performed with singer Abdoulaye Diabaté and kora player Mamadou Diabaté.
Farafina (Burkina Faso) – Percussion ensemble that incorporates the balafon into their music. They are known for their powerful and engaging performances and their ability to showcase the rich musical traditions of their culture. Their recording with Jon Hassell received critical acclaim. More about Farafina.
Fodé Lassana Diabaté – Malian musician who is best known for his work with the Symmetric Orchestra and Afrocubism. He is a master of the balafon and has been praised for his innovative and dynamic playing style.
Jali Haruna Jassey – Jali (griot) and balafon player from the Gambia who has been performing and recording music for decades. He is known for his deep knowledge of West African musical traditions and his ability to create engaging and dynamic performances. He teaches balafon music at Sona Jobarteh‘s The Gambia Academy.
Kélétigui Diabaté – Malian balafon player who was best known for his work with the Bamada group, led by the renowned Malian guitarist and composer Habib Koité. He was known for his dynamic and innovative playing style and his ability to bring traditional West African rhythms to life.
Kimi Djabaté – Guinea-Bissauan balafon player who is known for his soulful and emotive playing style. He has collaborated with a wide range of musicians from around the world and is considered one of the most talented balafon players of his generation. More about Kimi Djabaté.
Les Freres Coulibaly – Burkina Faso-based percussion ensemble also known as Badenya Les Freres Coulibaly that is known for their powerful and engaging performances. They are deeply rooted in the traditional rhythms and melodies of their culture and are dedicated to preserving and promoting West African musical traditions. More about Badenya Les Freres Coulibaly.
Madou Koné – Madou Koné and his sons Bassidi Koné and brother Khalifa Koné are Bwa musicians from the region of Segu, Mali.
Mahama Konaté – Prominent balafon player from Burkina Faso who founded the influential group Farafina. He began playing the balafon at a young age and developed a unique style that blends traditional West African rhythms with modern elements.
Mamadou Diabaté – Highly decorated balafon player from Burkina Faso who has won numerous awards for his performances and recordings. He is known for his technical skill and his ability to create intricate melodies and rhythms on the instrument. In addition to his solo work, he has collaborated with many other African and European musician. Mamadou leads the remarkable ensemble Mamadou Diabaté & Percussion Mania that also features the equally talented balafon player Yacouba Konaté. More about Mamadou Diabaté.
Moussa Dembélé – Balafon player from Burkina Faso. He is known for his powerful and expressive playing style, which blends traditional West African rhythms with modern elements.
Naby Camara – Guinean balafon player who is known for his dynamic and virtuosic playing style. He has collaborated with many other musicians in West Africa and has performed at major festivals around the world. Camara is also a respected teacher of the balafon and has mentored many young players.
N’Camara Abou Sylla – Balafon player from Guinea. He is known for his skillful playing and his ability to create intricate rhythms and melodies on the balafon.
Souleymane Traoré – Leads the Neba Solo balafon ensemble, which is based in Sikasso, Mali. He is known for his powerful and expressive playing style, which combines traditional West African rhythms with modern elements. Neba Solo has gained a following for their energetic performances and innovative approach to the balafon.
Soungalo Sanou – Musician from Bobo-Diulasso in the Bolomakoté district in Burkina Faso. He plays several instruments, including jembe, dunum, bara, although his specialty is the balafon.
Female players
Female balafon players are rare at this time. The best known one is Salimata Diabate from Burkina Faso. She has gained recognition for her virtuosic playing and for being one of the few female balafon players in the country. Growing up in a traditional family where women were expected to cook, wash dishes, marry and raise children, Salimata Diabate had to overcome many challenges in order to pursue a career in music.
She was drawn to the balafon at a young age, and began playing the instrument in secret, hiding her practice sessions from her family. Eventually, her talent and dedication earned her the respect and support of her community. Her father, himself a great balafonist, finally gave her his blessing.
(headline image; Kimi Djabate – Photo by Rita Carmo)
Discography:
Aly Keita – Akwaba Iniséné (Contre-Jour, 2007)
Aly Keita – Farafinko (Contre-Jour, 2010)
Aly Keita – Kalo-Yele (Intakt Records, 2016)
Aly Keita and Guo Gan – Peace In The World (Felmay, 2016)
Aly Keita, with Jan Galega Brönnimann, Lucas Niggli – Kalan Teban (Intakt Records, 2020)
Balla Kouyate & World Vision – Sababu (2007)
Badenya Les Frères Coulibaly – Anka Dia (Auvidis Ethnic, 1992)
Badenya Les Frères Coulibaly – Séniwè (Trace, 2000)
Djiby Diabaté, with Youssouph Koutoudio – FanKata (Panadisc, 2018)
Djiby Diabaté – Konko (Dakarai Records, 2021)
El Hadj Djeli Sory Kouyaté – Anthologie du Balafon Mandigue, Vol. 1 (Buda Records, 1990)
El Hadj Djeli Sory Kouyaté – Anthologie du Balafon Mandigue, Vol. 2 (Buda Records, 1992)
El Hadj Djeli Sory Kouyaté – Anthologie du Balafon Mandigue, Vol. 3 (Buda Records, 1994)
El Hadj Djeli Sory Kouyaté – Les Percussions De Guinée avec El Hadj Djeli Sory Kouyate – Volume 2 (Buda Records)
Farafina – Live At Montreux Jazz Festival (Artways, 1986)
Farafina and Jon Hassell – Flash Of The Spirit (Intuition Records, 1988)
Farafina – Bolomakoté (veraBra Records, 1989)
Farafina – Faso Denou (Real World Records, 1993)
Farafina – Nemako (Intuition Records, 1997)
Farafina – Kanou (L’Empreinte Digitale, 2001)
Farafina – Denti Féré (Watermelon World, 2012)
Kélétigui Diabaté – Sandiya (Contre-Jour, 2004)
Kimi Djabaté – Terike (Iefe Discos, 2005)
Kimi Djabaté – Karam (Cumbancha, 2009)
Kimi Djabaté – Kanamalu (Red Orange Recordings, 2016)
Kimi Djabaté – Dindin (Cumbancha, 2023)
Mamadou Diabaté’s Percussion Mania – Sabadu Man Dogo (Extraplatte, 2001)
Mamadou Diabaté’s Percussion Mania – Keneya (Extraplatte EX 510-2 2002
Mamadou Diabaté’s Percussion Mania & Bekadiya – Sira Fila (Extraplatte 2003)
Mamadou Diabaté’s Percussion Mania – Kamalenya (Extraplatte, 2006)
Mamadou Diabaté’s Percussion Mania – Sambla Fadenya (The Art Of Sadama Diabate) (Extraplatte 2009)
Mamadou Diabaté’s Percussion Mania -Fenba (Extraplatte, 2010)
Mamadou Diabaté’s Percussion Mania – Kanuya (Extraplatte, 2011)
Mamadou Diabaté’s Percussion Mania – Mutua (Hoanzl, 2012)
Mamadou Diabaté’s Percussion Mania – Masaba Kan (Jazzhaus Records, 2014)
Mamadou Diabate, Dramane Dembele & Claudio Spieler – Barokan (Sababu Records, 2015)
Mamadou Diabaté’s Percussion Mania – Nakan (Lotus Records, 2019)
Naby Camara – L’union Fait La Force (2004)
Naby Camara – Lagni-Sussu Kanteli (2007)
Neba Solo – Kenedougou Foly (Cobalt, 1998)
Neba Solo – Kene Balafons (Cobalt, 2000)
Neba Solo – CAN 2002 (Mali K7 SA, 2001)
Trio Ivoire: Hans Lüdemann, Aly Keita, Steve Argüelles – Trio Ivoire (RISM-Edition, 2000)
Balafon books
The Mandinka Balafon: An Introduction with Notation for Teaching by Lynne Jessup (1983)
Of Course, I’m Awesome, I Play Balafon by Max Numidya Prod (2020)
Balafon: It’s What the Cool Kids Play: Wide-Ruled Notebook by Noon Sun Handy Books(2021)
Drummologie : la connaissance aux sons du tambour et du balafon (French Edition) by N’Guessan Kouamé (2020)
Le balafon Goin au Burkina Faso: Des origines aux fonctions (French Edition) by Tionyélé Fayama (2021)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.