Spherical hand drum used in West Africa
The bara (Bambara: ߓߊ߬ߙߊ;[1] also called bendré)[2] is a spherical hand drum with a body made from a dried gourd or calabash, used in West Africa (primarily Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire,[2] and Mali).[2] Its single head is made of goatskin.[3] To make the drum, a dried gourd is cut on one end and a single head made of goatskin is stretched across the opening.[3] Bara drums come in various sizes, some quite large. The instrument is often used to accompany the balafon.[4][5]
The bara has been used in the music of the Malian musicians Yaya Diallo and Habib Koité.[6]
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