Xalam

Xalam (in Serer, khalam in Wolof, and Mɔɣlo in Dagbanli) is a traditional lute from West Africa with 1 to 5 strings.The xalam and its variants are known by various names in other languages, including bappe, diassare, hoddu (Pulaar), koliko (Gurunsi), kologo (Frafra),[3] komsa, kontigi, gurmi, garaya (Hausa), koni, konting (Mandinka), molo (Songhay/Zarma), ndere, ngoni (Bambara), and tidinit (Hassaniyya and Berber).The wooden body (soundbox) membranophone of the instrument is oval-shaped and covered with the hide of cattle.It most often acts as a solo or duo instrument to accompany praise songs and historical recitations, and in some areas it may form part of a larger group including kora, drums, and calabashes.It is traditionally heard at weddings, infant naming ceremonies, and (always with amplification) is now a common member of folklore ensembles, popular mbalax groups, and ndaga variety shows.
A Hausa Griot playing the gurmi (a Hausa variant of the xalam with a spherical body) in Diffa , Niger.
Senegalese khalamkat holding a khalam (xalam, hoddu, molo). Circa 1890-1905.
Back of a molo (lute, showing how the skin soundboard is held on)
Xalam (band)bridgeString instrumentkontigiHornbostel–Sachs classificationRelated instrumentsakontinggarayagumbri/sintirDagbanliWest AfricaGambiaSenegalNigeriaBurkina FasoMauritaniaWestern SaharaPulaarGurunsiFrafraMandinkaSonghayBambaraHassaniyyaBerbercattleleathergriotsmbalaxCheick Hamala DiabateBarbatDombraDramyinKutiyapiQanbūsQinqinSanshinSanxianShamisenTanburYueqinAngéliqueArchluteMandoreMandoraSwedish luteTorbanTheorboVihuelaCitoleCitternEnglish guitarGitternGuitarra latinaGuitarra moriscaComposers