Jeli N’goni

This Jeli N’Goni is hand made by Master Strings Maker Louis Afrifra

Jeli N’goni (pronounced “jelly nn-gon-ee”) is a traditional Mande lute played by the jeli (griot: traditional musicians). The Jeli N’goni is one of the oldest instruments of the jeli, pre-dating the balafon and kora, and is considered the ancestor of the modern-day banjo

Constructed of a hollow Melina hardwood body covered with goat skin, a fretless fingerboard and three synthetic strings which traverse the bridge and are tensioned by leather straps.

Played with a picking technique using the thumb and index finger, accented with percussive knocking and tapping

Hand made in Burkina Faso, they are rare outside of Africa
As these instruments are hand made from natural materials dimensions may vary slightly

Additional information