# I just discovered the kora!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-discovered-the-kora/785085>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [April 23, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-discovered-the-kora/785085 "2017-04-23T18:20:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-discovered-the-kora/785085/1 "2017-04-23T18:20:46Z")

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Streaming World Music, I heard some great finger picking. I Shazammed it, and discovered it is an instrument. The kora.

Made from a squash, has 21 strings. Played with the first finger and thumb of both hands.

Have a listen.

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ig91Z0-rBfo/maxresdefault.jpg "Sona Jobarteh & Band - Kora Music from West Africa") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig91Z0-rBfo)

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**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-discovered-the-kora/785085/2 "2017-04-23T20:53:16Z")

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Like a harp. no?

That was some very sweet subtle African music.

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**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-discovered-the-kora/785085/3 "2017-04-23T21:11:39Z")

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Absolutely love that!

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-discovered-the-kora/785085/4 "2017-04-23T21:47:47Z")

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I am a huge fan of Malian music and love the Kora. [Here](Toumani Diabaté & Ballaké Sissoko) are Toumani Diabaté & Ballaké Sissoko playing together.