All musical instruments are authentic pieces imported directly from west Africa
(Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone.). The craftsmen who create them are descended from families who have produced the same artefacts from generations. They have mastered the techniques of selecting materials and building instruments through the years. Hear for yourself the unique sound that first echoed through Africa and now the world
Considered by many the precursor of the contemporary xylophone, this Heptatonic Balafon has 20 or 21 keys (professional version).
It consists of a low flat frame on which several strips of Bala wood of decreasing length are placed parallel to each other.
The underneath shape of each strip will define its main sound.
Each strip has its own resonators made of calabash bowls of corresponding sizes attached to its base. Two holes covered with thin egg membrane can be found on the calabash bowls, which gives the buzzing sound effect and allow fine tuning . Two mallets with natural rubber tips, are used to strike the keys.
This flat Heptatonic chassis version originates from Guinea.
The first Balafon (The Sosso-Bala) was crafted by Soumaworo Kante over 800 years ago.
He kept his instrument jealousy guarded and allowed no one to touch it but himself.
During the time of battle with the Malinke Kingdom, a griot named Diakouma Doua, who was jailed at Soumaworo's court, defied the warnings and played the Sosso-bala.
Though he was enraged by his audacity, Soumaworo was impressed by the griot's talent, and authorized him (Diakouma Doua) to play the sosso-bala.
He named him "Bala Fasseke Kwate" (the balafon player), and this is how "Bala Fasseke"'s family (and their descendant the "Kouyate") became the guardian of Soumaworo Kante's balafon.
This very first Balafon is presently kept virtually intact in the village of Niagassola in the north-east region of Guinea (by the Mali border).
It is kept and only played by the most senior member of the Kouyate family together with a head dress and wrists bells.
Nowadays, the Sosso-Bala is only played once a year.
Other versions of this same instrument, with a more pronounced curved frame, are found in other countries of West Awith various different tunings like pentatonic.
It is usually played by a griot, or balladeer, to accompany women singing.
A common Heptatonic Balafon tuning from Guinea is as follow:
