Balafons

The xylophones or "balafons" are from the North West of Ghana.The keys are cut from the Shea Butter tree and are fixed onto the wooden frame. Gourds (hollowed out pumpkin or squash) are the cut under the keys to amplify their sound. You play the wooden keys with beaters which are made from stick and rubber. The rubber is recycled from truck tyres.

Each balafon comes with two beaters, these are held in between the fore and middle fingers. The xylophones come in three sizes; 8, 10 and 14 keys.