balafon/bala/balan/balani (West African-style gourd resonated xylophone)

This Pan-African Arts-crafted offering features a pentatonic used by the Sambla people of Burkina Faso. The gourds underneath each of the 10 padauk keys are fitted with mirlitons, which emit the characteristic "buzz" when the keys are struck.

Note: The plastic mirlitons covering the gourd resonators, the keys won't resonate properly if they are punctured or become detached from the gourd. If either should happen, you can replace the mirlitons by cutting pieces from a plastic grocery shopping bag and gluing them over the holes in the gourds. Another thing that affects the sound of the instrument is mirlitons that are too taut or too loose; in either case, gently depress the mirlitons with a finger.

Note, too: Rubber tapped directly from trees traditionally is used to wrap mallets. Because of the unavailability of such natural rubber, I use strips of rubber from bicycle inner tubes. These mallets are located on the bottom of the frame.

The following videos () feature the bala in play: "Balafon du Burkina Faso," "Bara Drum and Balafon from Burkina Faso"