The balafon consists of planks of wood of varying lengths and thicknesses tied to an oblong frame; dried gourds, are fastened to the planks. As the balafon player strikes the planks, the vibrations resonate inside the gourds underneath. One can find balafon players at a wedding or a party, in a market, or at school. The instrumental music will most likely be accompanied by songs – historic or contemporary – intended to instruct or simply to amuse.

Exhibited at the "Fertile, Frightful, Divine"show. New Brunswick, NJ. July 2011