The bolon ( bm, ߓߐ߬ߟߐ߲, italics=no) or M'Bolon is a traditional harp played in
Mali
Mali (; ), officially the Republic of Mali,, , ff, 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞥆𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 𞤃𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭, Renndaandi Maali, italics=no, ar, جمهورية مالي, Jumhūriyyāt Mālī is a landlocked country in West Africa. Mali ...
, as well as
Guinea
Guinea ( ),, fuf, 𞤘𞤭𞤲𞤫, italic=no, Gine, wo, Gine, nqo, ߖߌ߬ߣߍ߫, bm, Gine officially the Republic of Guinea (french: République de Guinée), is a coastal country in West Africa. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the we ...
. It was notably played in hunting ceremonies or before a battle, to rouse warriors' valor.
It was also used by the
Jola in
Gambia for accompaniment for men's choruses.
[Stone, Ruth M., ed. "West Africa: An Introduction." ''Garland Encyclopedia of World Music Volume 1: Africa''. New York: Routledge, Array. 458-86. ''Music Online: The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music''. Web. 29 Sept. 2016.] Among other string instruments played in Guinea, the bolon is the oldest.
The bolon is a three-stringed instrument, constructed from a large calabash covered by unshaven goat skin, and a bow-shaped neck.
When playing, it is placed between the legs with the strings facing the musician. In addition to plucking the strings, the musician also hits the calabash as if playing a dru
References
Malian musical instruments
Harps
Harp lutes
{{Harp-stub