Balafon – African Instrument

The Mandinka balafon, also called bala or balaphone, is a kind of idiophone used in African
music. It is closely associated with the neighbouring Mandé, Senoufo and Gur peoples of West
Africa, particularly the Guinean branch of the Mandinka ethnic group, but is now found across
West Africa from Guinea to Mali. Commonly known in the west as a xylophone.
Developed: 12th century or earlier
Classification: wooden percussion idiophone with up to 21 keys