21 String Travel Kora - Traditional West African Harp

Idea and Intention

I felt the need for a compact and lightweight African harp while traveling the world. Regular flights with a full-size traditional African Kora were stressful, with risks of damage and high transportation costs. Later, after presenting my design to the public, I realized I wasn’t alone in facing these challenges—many musicians sought a portable solution without sacrificing sound quality.

The 21-String Travel Kora was conceived as a modular instrument with high strength and reliability, fully replicating the tonal capabilities of a traditional African harp while remaining easy to transport.

The primary goal was to accurately reproduce the ergonomics and fingering of a full-sized instrument, ensuring a seamless transition between the two.

It took me more than four years to refine and perfect the design, and I am proud to introduce it to the world.

Materials and Technologies

Baltic birch plywood was chosen as the primary material due to its high strength, durability, and stability, regardless of the grain direction. It is also widely available and easy to process, making it an ideal choice for crafting musical instruments.

The introduction of CNC milling technology transformed the production process, allowing for high precision, speed, and consistency. This breakthrough enabled me to achieve exceptional results in the structural accuracy and sound quality of the instrument.

Birch plywood is a smooth and homogeneous material, ideal for sanding, finishing, and varnishing. Instead of using pigments or stains, the instrument is now sealed with a high-quality matte polyurethane lacquer, providing excellent protection and durability while maintaining the natural aesthetics of the wood.

Components and Parts

In keeping with practicality and minimalism, I reduced the number of components used in the 21-String Travel Kora, lowering production costs and manufacturing time without compromising functionality.

• Piano tuning studs were chosen as the most reliable and efficient method for tuning. This system, time-tested in pianos, offers excellent tuning stability and is easy to use, maintain, and replace.

• Nylon fishing line of carefully calculated diameters is used for the strings, ensuring an optimal balance of note frequency, tension load, and brightness of sound. The total string tension in 21-String Travel Kora reaches 191 kg (421 lb), providing excellent resonance and sustain.

• Teak wood is used for the bridge and base, selected for its exceptional acoustic properties and strength, ensuring clarity and depth in sound transmission.

Functionality and Usage

Each 21-String Travel Kora includes:

• Tuning Key – For precise string adjustments

• Spare Strings – Ensuring you’re always ready to play.

• A removable crossbar can be attached to the bottom of the body for a more comfortable playing experience or stored on the neck during transportation.

• A built-in piezo pickup and a 6.35mm (1/4") mono jack output allow easy amplification, making it possible to connect the N’goni to an amplifier - just like an electric or semi-acoustic guitar.

Compact & Travel-Friendly Design

This instrument is designed for musicians on the go, offering lightweight portability without sacrificing tonal depth. Whether performing, practicing outdoors, or traveling, its compact size and durability make it the ideal choice.