Tuning of balangi

Ethnomusicological sound recording made by Cootje van Oven. Tuning of a balangi. The balangi is a xylophone with calabash resonators. The calabashes are arranged in a zig-zag formation underneath the slats. They are graded according to size like the slats themselves, as each resonator has to correspond to the pitch of its slat. To make the necessary room for the calabashes under the slats, the instrument has two frames, the upper one to which the slats are ties, and the lower one which is resting on the ground. The two frames are connected by vertical sticks at the corners. It is played with a pair of mallets with leather heads. A balangi (not this one) is pictured in the photograph. The one in the present item has 18 slats. It is the property of Mr Roderic Knight, music teacher at the Bo Government Secondary School.

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Further Information

• Type: Sound Recording, Musical instruments
• Object: Tuning of balangi
• Materials: No Data / Other
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: No Data
• Production Date: 1965.12.30
• Associated Places: Bo District, [Place Recorded] [Origin of item]
• Associated People: Cootje van Oven [Sound Recordist]; Herb Clark [Sound Recordist]
• Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
• Accession Number: CVO:128

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