Originating in West Africa, the Balafon consists of wooden bars of various lengths, each tuned to a specific pitch of the musical scale or to the native tuning. The Balafon is stretched onto a frame that has gourds underneath to give a melodic resonance when the tuned keys are struck with two padded sticks.
Available in  6, 8, 10, 14, 18 (Balafon), 21 (Balafon) keys.