part of West African music since at least the 14th century, when it was recorded that they were played in a royal ceremony in Mali. Soninke oral traditions indicate that their use goes back further, to the days of the Ghana Empire. There is a variety of stringed instruments throughout West Africa. Common amongst this variety are lutes such as the xalam, harp-lutes like the kora, and fiddles, including the goje. Kora The kora is a stringed instrument originating in The Gambia. It usually has 21 strings, however much like other instruments, there are variations depending on the regional origins of the instrument – it is not uncommon for the kora to have 22 strings in southern Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. With a body made from calabash and a neck that extends approximately one metre, the kora is stood upright and plucked by a seated player, commonly accompanying lyrics about a person or family. The kora is typically tuned diatonically and has a range of over three octaves. Papa Susso, Toumani Diabaté and Jaliba Kuyateh are renowned kora players famed for their instrumental proficiency. Xalam The xalam is a lute which has two melody strings and between two and four additional octave strings. The xalam originated with the Wolof people and is often played in pairs, in which one player repeats a musical motif while another tells a narrative. It has a long, wooden body, typically one that is rectangular or in the shape of an oval. A cowhide face is stretched over the body underneath the strings, and a circular hole is cut out towards the bottom of this membrane. The playing position and method are similar to the ways in which a player would use a guitar, however the left hand, which supports the instrument’s neck, is only used to pluck the two melody strings. The other strings can be plucked or strummed, like a kora. Traditional songs played on the xalam are most often accompanied by lyrics about historical events, commonly the victories of warriors and leaders. Goje The goje is a fiddle with one to two strings, played with a bowstring. Its origins are with the Hausa people, and the goje is culturally significant because of the belief that it is imbued with the ability to communicate with spirits. Secular performances of goje music take place to celebrate births, marriages and political inaugurations. Dance A major element