Balafon or Balan (xylophone) Kotoura, Burkina Faso wood, gourd, leather Burkina Faso Cultural Heritage Branch

This balan comes from Kotoura, a village in Kenedougou province. It is played during popular events such as funerals, agricultural festivals, marriages, by a "griot" or troubadour.

The instrument varies depending on the people who make it. You can find Senufo, Bwa and Dagara balafons in Burkina Faso.

As a result of industrialization, some synthetic products are now used to hold the bars together to increase the tone quality of the vibrations from the gourds that make up the sound box or resonator. The balan is increasingly played by young people as well as older folk in traditional or modern groups.