The kora is one of the world's most beautiful and distinctive instruments, a 21-string harp-lute from West Africa with a sound somewhere between a concert harp, a flamenco guitar and a cascading waterfall. At Adaptatrap we have been building and playing koras for the best part of thirty years, so we have gathered the questions people ask us most into one place. Here is just about everything you might want to know.

What is a kora?

A kora is a West African stringed instrument with 21 strings, a long hardwood neck and a large round body made from a calabash gourd covered in cowhide. Musicologists call it a 'harp-lute' because it shares features of both: like a harp, its strings rise in a tall plane away from the soundboard; like a lute, it has a neck and a bridge. It has a range of more than three octaves and a bright, rippling, resonant voice that is unlike anything else.

Where does the kora come from?

The kora belongs to the Mande (Mandinka) peoples of West Africa, and is played across the Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Its roots reach back to the Mali Empire of around the 13th century, where it grew up alongside the region's oral historians. European travellers were describing the instrument by the late 1700s, and it has been passed down, maker to maker and player to player, ever since.

Who plays the kora? The griot tradition

Traditionally the kora is played by griots, commonly known as jalis in Mandinka, the hereditary musicians, storytellers and oral historians of West Africa. For centuries the jali has been the keeper of a community's history: reciting genealogies, celebrating events, settling disputes and praising patrons, with the kora as accompaniment. The art is handed down within a small number of griot families, and you will see the same surnames again and again among the great players: Diabaté, Sissoko (or Cissokho), Kouyaté, Suso, Konté and Jobarteh. Once passed strictly from father to son, the tradition now includes celebrated women players too.

How is a kora made?

Every kora is made by hand, and no two are quite alike. A large calabash gourd is cut in half to form the bowl, then a cowhide is soaked, stretched over it and tacked down to make the soundboard, the drum-like skin that gives the kora its resonance. A straight hardwood neck (often keno or another dense tropical timber) passes right through the body, and two wooden handles either side give the player something to grip. The 21 strings run from the top of the neck, down over a tall notched wooden bridge that stands upright on the skin, and anchor at the base. The bridge is the heart of the instrument: it acts as a fulcrum, dividing the strings into two ranks and carrying their vibration into the calabash. There is usually a sound hole cut into the side of the gourd, handy, traditionally, for posting in a few coins for the griot. A single instrument can take weeks to build and finish.

What were the strings originally made from?

Historically the strings were twisted from thin strips of antelope hide or gut. Today most koras use nylon instead, which is more stable, longer-lasting and easier to keep in tune. The strings are held at the top by tuning rings: traditional koras use rings of twisted leather (konso) that you slide up and down the neck, while many modern instruments fit geared machine heads like a guitar's.

How many strings does a kora have, and how is it played?

A standard kora has 21 strings, divided 11 on the left and 10 on the right. The player sits with the instrument upright, facing the skin, gripping the two handles with the outer fingers of each hand and plucking the strings with the thumb and index finger of each hand, just four fingers in all. The two hands work independently: typically the left plays the bass and a repeating accompaniment pattern (the kumbengo), while the right improvises melodies and dazzling runs (the birimintingo) over the top, often under a sung line (the donkilo). The effect is that a single player can sound like several at once.

How is a kora tuned?

A kora is not chromatic like a guitar or piano — it is tuned to a seven-note (diatonic) scale spanning its three-plus octaves, and you change key or mode by re-tuning. There are four traditional tunings: Tomora Ba (also called Silaba, the oldest tuning, roughly F major), Tomora Mesengo, Hardino, and Sauta (close to C major, with a raised fourth). Moving between them means shifting the tuning rings, which is part of why a traditional konso-strung kora takes patience to tune, and why many players appreciate the speed of machine heads.

What does a kora sound like?

Bright, shimmering and hypnotic. Because the bass and melody interlock, a kora can sound at once like a harp, a guitar and a gently struck bell. It is equally at home accompanying a singer, playing centuries-old praise songs, or being woven into jazz, classical and contemporary music.

Who are the most famous kora players?

The instrument has produced some extraordinary musicians. Toumani Diabaté of Mali, a Grammy winner from a griot lineage said to span more than 70 generations, did more than anyone to bring the kora to world stages. Ballaké Sissoko, also Malian, is celebrated for his collaborations across genres. Sona Jobarteh is the first woman from a major griot family to become a kora virtuoso and a leading ambassador for the instrument. Seckou Keita, a Senegalese master based in the UK, has introduced the kora to countless new listeners. Closer to home, koras built here at Adaptatrap are in the hands of professional players around the world.

Can I learn to play the kora?

Absolutely and you do not need to come from a griot family to start! Most beginners learn a simple kumbengo accompaniment pattern first, which sounds lovely almost straight away, then build up melody and ornamentation from there. Listening is half the lesson, so spend time with the players above. 

How is a kora different from a ngoni or a balafon?

They are often heard together but they are quite different instruments. The kora is a 21-string harp-lute. The ngoni is a small West African plucked lute with far fewer strings and a punchy, banjo-like tone. The balafon is a wooden-keyed xylophone with gourd resonators. All three belong to the same Mande musical world.

How do I choose a kora?

A few things make the difference. Tuning system: traditional leather konso rings for the authentic experience, or machine heads for quick, stable tuning, the choice many newcomers prefer. Calabash size: a larger gourd gives more volume and a deeper tone. Pickups: an electro-acoustic kora can be amplified for performance. Travel koras with smaller bodies or de-mountable necks are worth considering if you are often on the move. 

How do I look after my kora?

The calabash and skin are natural materials, so the enemies are heat and damp. Keep your kora away from radiators, direct sun and car boots on hot or freezing days, all of which can dry out or crack the gourd and slacken the skin. Store it in a padded case or gig bag, keep the strings up to tension, and check the bridge sits straight. Nylon strings will last for years, but if a skin needs replacing or a string lets go, we can help, see repairs and re-skinning.

Why buy a kora from Adaptatrap?

Because we care deeply about them! Our koras are built by hand to order by Les Sherwood, who has been making them for nearly thirty years. They are played by professional musicians around the world, and as part of the Siesta Crafts family we hold to the same Fair Trade values: real instruments, made by hand, traded fairly. Whether you are buying your first kora or the latest for your collection, get in touch and Les will get back to you to discuss making you a bespoke kora.