Qehbe — Xalam

: It typically features a wooden, oval-shaped soundbox covered in cowhide or goatskin, with a long neck and between one and five nylon or horsehair strings.

While rooted in tradition, the xalam remains a staple in contemporary African music: Qehbe Xalam

The (pronounced with a soft 'h' or 'kh' sound) is a traditional West African lute, primarily used by the Wolof, Serer, and Mandinka peoples in Senegal, Gambia, and Mali. It is widely considered an ancestor of the modern American banjo. Overview of the Xalam : It typically features a wooden, oval-shaped soundbox

: Modern artists like Ben Aylon have integrated the xalam into complex orchestral arrangements alongside percussion and electric bass, as seen on tracks like "SeneGambia". : It typically features a wooden