Balangi

A xylophone-like musical instrument, called a balangi, or balanjii, consisting of a series of wooden tone bars or keys attached to a wooden frame with small gourd resonators underneath, played with two beaters. It is particularly associated with the Kuranko, and other ethno-linguistic groups of Mande origin, in northern Sierra Leone. This one has 15 wooden rungs and 16 gourd fruits underneath.

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Further Information

• Type: Musical instruments
• Object: Balangi
• Materials: Wood, Vegetable, organic fibre, Textile
• Culture Group: Kuranko
• Dimensions: 810mm [L] x 495mm [W] x 180mm [C]
• Production Date: Pre 1953
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: G. Smyly; P. Crampton Smyly
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1953.25.14

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