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 Melini hardwood body covered with goat skin, a fretless fingerboard and five 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

Approximate Dimensions (L x W x H):  16cm x 12cm x 81cm
As these instruments are hand made from natural materials dimensions may vary slightly

Additional information