A West African percussion instrument similar to a xylophone, with wooden bars struck by mallets and gourds as resonators.
From Manding languages of West Africa: 'bala' (stringed instrument/percussion) plus 'phon' (sound/voice), literally meaning 'speaking percussion.'
The balaphon's design influenced the development of marimbas in Latin America through the African diaspora—so an instrument born in Mali eventually shaped music across the Americas.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.