Traditional Mande harp played in Mali, The Gambia and Guinea
Simbing
A
Susu yeliba playing a bolon in 1905, his rifle by his side. The bolon has a small, square soundhole and a nyenmyemo (metal resonator fringed with metal rings, mounted on the end of the neck)
323-5 (Acoustic instruments which have a resonator as an integral part of the instrument, in which the plane of the strings lies at right angles to the sound-table; a line joining the lower ends of the strings would be perpendicular to the neck. These have notched bridges. Sounded by the
bare fingers)
The bolon (
Bambara: ߓߐ߬ߟߐ߲)[1] or M'Bolon is a traditional harp played in
Mali, as well as
Guinea.[2] It was notably played in hunting ceremonies or before a battle, to rouse warriors' valor.[3] It was also used by the
Jola in
Gambia for accompaniment for men's choruses.[4] Among other string instruments played in Guinea, the bolon is the oldest.[3]
The bolon is a three-stringed instrument, constructed from a large calabash covered by unshaven goat skin, and a bow-shaped neck.[3] 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 drum.
[1]
^Mande Music: Traditional and Modern Music of the Maninka Page 77 Eric Charry - 2000 "Bolon . The bolon is played by several peoples in West Africa, including Maninka, Fulbe, Senufo. Susu, and Kissi (map 3, plate 4). Nowadays it is a rare instrument in its traditional setting, but it is often played in national ballets and in a variety of
^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.