Similar to numerous African music genres, Kora music is deeply intertwined with folklore and legends, transmitted orally through generations within a caste system of musicians. One of the folklore is about a Gambian griot who was in pursuit of his fiancée. She entered a cave and he followed her inside. After some time in the cave, the griot came out but instead of his fiancée in hand, it was a kora. It was said the griot played the instrument everyday in memory of his fiancée until his death.

Originating in the 18th century, Kora music is a traditional genre that emerged in the present-day regions of Mali, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. The earliest custodians of the kora music and the instrument are the Mande people of West Africa. The genre takes its name from the central instrument it revolves around—the Kora.

The Kora, a harp-like chordophone, is crafted by attaching a long wooden neck to a gourd cut in half. The calabash is covered with cowhide and strung with 21 strings made from durable materials such as leather strips, fishing lines, nylon, or silk. These strings are divided into courses, with ten on the left side and eleven on the right. The left-hand strings produce bass notes, while the right-hand strings create melodies.

Most Kora performers, known as jali, hail from the Mandinka families of bards found in the Western Africa region. During performances, Kora players typically sit on low stools or mats, with the instrument resting on their knees. They skillfully pluck the strings, using their thumbs and index fingers to craft intricate and complex rhythms and melodies.

The Kora, primarily employed for storytelling, plays a pivotal role in West African music, particularly within the tradition of the griot—a traveling poet, storyteller, and oral historian. The instrument often accompanies vocalists and is prominently featured at weddings, funerals, and other social gatherings.

Characterized by its intricate melodies, rhythmic patterns, reflective and contemplative mood, and the mesmerizing timbre of the kora, Kora music delves into the beauty and complexities of life. The accompanying lyrics are usually in Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, or Soninke, or West African languages, depending on the region and the artist.

The main instrument of this genre is the Kora itself, and other instruments such as the Balafon (a xylophone-like instrument), the Ngoni (a lute-like stringed instrument), and percussion instruments like the Djembe drum.

Initially, Kora music existed solely as an oral tradition, passed down through generations among the Mandinkas' jali or bards. However, this changed when French Benedictine monks from Keur Moussa Abbey in Senegal devised a way to transcribe Kora music notes.

During the slave trade between the 16th and 19th centuries, some Mandinka were captured, sold as slaves, and transported to the Americas. Despite their circumstances, these individuals continued to play Kora music, blending it with Western influences, eventually becoming a foundation for rock, jazz, ragtime, rhythm and blues, and other genres.

Although Kora music garnered limited recognition initially, it gained global prominence in the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of influential West African musicians such as Toumani Diabate, Ali Farka Toure, Ballake Sissoko, Baba Maal, Sekou Keita, Amadou Bansang Jobareth, Mamadou Diabate, Faday Musa Suso, and more recently, Sona Jobareth who broke set the record and tradition to become the first female Kora musician (griot) . Their contributions expanded the audience for Kora music. Notably, music festivals and events, such as the Festival sur le Niger in Mali and the Dakar Biennale in Senegal, emerged to showcase the genre's richness.

Today, Kora music continues to evolve and delight audiences with its captivating melodies, virtuosic performances, and rich cultural heritage. It’s also been merged with other genres like jazz, rhythms and blues, and classical music. The music remains a cherished aspect of West African culture and continues to be practiced by griots and other musicians in the region, reflecting its enduring cultural impact and significance.

An image of a musician playing the 12-stringed harp-like instrument called Kora.

Kora, More Than A Musical Instrument

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