Guinea, Mali, the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Sierra Leone
Mandinkc, Susu, Bambara, Fulbe, Senufo, and Kissi

Goat hair, calabash, wood, leather,  twisted leather strings
ca. Mid-20th century
Length: 42 in; Gourd diameter/width: 14 in
Chordophone – Harp – Plucked

The bolon, or bolon bata, is one of the oldest West African chordophones (string instruments) that was originally associated with the hunting and warrior traditions. Often confused as a kora, it too is played at the courts of kings to praise their status.  However, unlike the Kora it is not associated with the griot, or jeli (jali) tradition of hereditary musicians.  Also, the bolon was an instrument of the people and not just the courts.  It was played for ceremonial and social functions such as, to encourage hunters during hunts, warriors in battle, ceremonial processions, funerals of warriors, or workers in the fields.  The bolon was also used for communication announcing to the village a victory or defeat in war, by the skilled player called bolonfola.

This large bolon is comprised of a large gourd (calabash) covered with goat skin that serves as the resonator chamber. It has three (3) large, twisted gut strings held to the long curved wooden neck with the rest of the string. Possibly a reflection of the hunters bow. Extending from the gourd resonator is a carved wooden bridge that is held on with additional leather string of the same material as the sounding strings. This string is also used to secure the animal skin to the gourd. At the bottom of the instrument is a wooden spike. A large circular sound hole is carved into the side of the gourd.  Strings are tuned by sliding the knotted rings up and down the neck.

The bolon was used by several ethnic groups including the Mandinka, Susu, Bambara, Fulbe, Senufo and Kissi in the West African countries of Guinea, Mali, the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Sierra Leone.