"Alexandre Sènou Adandé" Ethnographic Museum
(Benin)


The "Alexandre Dumas" School of Foreign Languages
(Bulgaria)


Burkina Faso Cultural Heritage Branch
(Burkina Faso)


The Museum of Art and Archeology of the University of Antananarivo
(Madagascar)


National Museum of Mali
(Mali)


St. Boniface Museum
(Manitoba, Canada)


Andalusian Study and Research Centre
(Morocco)


Musée acadien de l'Université de Moncton
(New Brunswick, Canada)


World Music Research Laboratory
(Quebec, Canada)


Canadian Museum of Civilization
(Quebec, Canada)


Museum of the Romanian Peasant
(Romania)


The Arab and Mediterranean Music Centre
(Tunisia)

THE KÒNKÒNI (double-sided drum)

 
Note Book
Technical Record
Kònkòni
National Museum of Mali



As indicated by its name which translates etymologically as "what one hits hits", the kònkòni is a drum with two skins which generally plays an accompanying role in the musical styles in which it is used.

It is found mainly amongst the Maninkaw (Malinké), Soninké, the Peul of Wasulun, and the Dogon who have a strong tradition in the use of the jenbe or other drums which the kònkòni is mostly used to accompany. This does not mean, however, that its musical function is merely secondary. Its playing gives important support and musical Background to the instrument it accompanies, which is usually the solo instrument.