Boloye band play one-stringed calabash harps called bolongo at the final rituals of a Senufo funeral, Near Korhogo, Ivory Coast

"On the last day of the ceremony, two Nufori acrobat-masks brought into the village square perform the final rituals of a Senufo funeral. Known as Panthers of the Poro, the masks are accompanied by a Boloye band, who play unique one-stringed calabash harps called bolongo, plucking the string and tapping the side of the instrument with metal finger rings to establish rhythm. Three players reinforce the beat by shaking calabash rattles. The leading player calls out words from a chant to honor the deceased, and the other players answer him with an appropriate rhythmic response." [Beckwith C., Fisher A., 1999: African Ceremonies. Volume 2. Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Westinghouse Film and traveled to Africa from October 26, 1970 to end of March 1971.