The kora is a gourd rattle made from the fruit of the Lagenaria sp. gourd tree. It is mainly played by women as they accompany dances, for instance in the adowaensemble where it has a constant rhythmical pattern. Among the Dagomba and the Mamprusi, women who sing and accompany themselves with a kora are associated with occultism and witchcraft. During rituals and ceremonies, women from a certain society can often be seen with a kora in their hand.
The inside of the gourd is scraped out and then fruit-stones, pips, seeds or small stones are inserted. Among the Dagomba it is called a nmani. There the gourd is filled with dried fruits from the okra plant (Abelmoschus esculentus), which produces a soft rounded sound.
© RMCA/Dominik PHYFFEROEN