CultureAugust 30, 2026
kora
KOR-uh
Definition
A traditional West African stringed musical instrument, similar to a lute or harp, made from a large calabash gourd covered with cowhide.
Etymology
Derived from the Mandinka language, the word refers specifically to this harp-lute instrument which is central to the musical traditions of West African griots.
In the news
The word is used in the context of Sona Jobarteh, an artist noted for changing the traditional male-dominated methods of playing the kora to ensure the instrument's continued survival.
Still dancing at 88, Mali’s Mariam Bagayoko keeps tradition alive
Read the full article ↗RFI