Where does the Kora (21-String) come from?

Kora (21-String) is documented in this archive as a string tradition associated with West Africa. Open the culture guide from this page for regional context.

How difficult is the Kora (21-String) to learn?

Difficulty varies by player and pedagogy. Use the difficulty field in the quick facts panel as a relative guide, then listen to specimen audio and explore related instruments in the same family.

Instrument · traditional

String

Kora (21-String)

Name: Kora (21-String)
Brand: West Africa
Availability: OnlineOnly

The 21-string kora is the most common and versatile version of this West African harp-lute. With its large gourd resonator and nylon strings, it can produce both melodic lines and complex bass patterns. The kora is the voice of the griot tradition and can tell entire stories through its music.

Catalog

Sample

Overview

Cultural context

The kora is the crown jewel of West African music, representing the pinnacle of griot artistry and the preservation of oral history through music.

Legendary players

Toumani DiabatéArtifact →
Ballaké SissokoArtifact →
Sona Jobarteh—
Seckou Keita—

Specimen note

The kora has 21 strings arranged in two parallel rows - 11 on the left for bass and accompaniment, 10 on the right for melody and improvisation.

Technical specifications

Exhibit datasheet · derived from catalog fields

Materials & construction hints: See specimen tags and description for construction lineage
Tuning & pitch: Pitch material is tradition-specific; see description for scale and temperament context.
Register & role: String · typical use: Mande Music, Griot Music, West African Folk
Acoustic range (general): Harmonic content follows string length, tension, and resonator; partials differ by construction.
Market class (indicative): $400-$2000

Historical context

The kora is the crown jewel of West African music, representing the pinnacle of griot artistry and the preservation of oral history through music. The 21-string kora is the most common and versatile version of this West African harp-lute.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Kora (21-String)?: The 21-string kora is the most common and versatile version of this West African harp-lute. With its large gourd resonator and nylon strings, it can produce both melodic lines and complex bass patterns. The kora is th…
Where does the Kora (21-String) come from?: Kora (21-String) is documented in this archive as a string tradition associated with West Africa. Open the culture guide from this page for regional context.
How difficult is the Kora (21-String) to learn?: Difficulty varies by player and pedagogy. Use the difficulty field in the quick facts panel as a relative guide, then listen to specimen audio and explore related instruments in the same family.

Discovery web

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