Southern Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Senegal
Bambara

Wood 
Early-Mid 20th Century
Length: 21 inches
Idiophone – Rasp – Scraped

The Bambara (Bamana or Banmana) are a Mande ethnic native group located primarily in southern Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Senegal. Today they make up the largest Mandé ethnic group in Mali, with 80% of the population speaking the Bambara language, regardless of ethnicity.

This Bambara rasp is carved from a single piece of wood.  The resonator tube alludes to a long slim anthropomorphic body. The head is highly stylized with a concave heart-shaped face and the resonator body is incised with deep ridges encircling the body with an opening in the front. Sculptured instruments such as this are still produced and displayed but only in a few Bambara villages. This rasp could also serve as a slit drum. A wooden ring or stick is rubbed across the ribbed “sides” in a rhythmic fashion when played.