Editing Kora (instrument) (section)

===Modern history===
The earliest European reference to the kora in Western literature is in ''Travels in Interior Districts of Africa'' (1799) by the [[Scotland|Scotsman]]        
[[Mungo Park (explorer)|Mungo Park]]. 

The kora is mentioned in the [[Senegal]]ese national anthem "[[Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons]]."

In the late 20th century, a 25-string model of the kora was developed, though it has been adopted by only a few players, primarily in the region of [[Casamance]], in southern Senegal. Some kora players such as [[Seckou Keita]] have double necked koras, allowing them to switch from one tuning to another within seconds, giving them increased flexibility.

The French Benedictine monks of the [[Keur Moussa Abbey]] in Senegal (who possibly were the first to introduce guitar machine heads instead of leather rings in the late seventies) conceived a method based on scores to teach the instrument. Brother Dominique Catta, choirmaster of the Keur Moussa Abbey,<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.abbaye-keur-moussa.org/|title=Abbaye de Keur Moussa au senegal et en france 72|first=Edem Oklouvi|last=okejust-communications-72.fr|website=Abbaye-keur-moussa.org|access-date=3 November 2018|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031174000/http://www.abbaye-keur-moussa.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> was the first Western composer who wrote for the kora (solo pieces as well as duets with Western instruments).<ref>''Lumière Radieuse - Keur Moussa'', Art et Musique, 2007; ''Sénégal, Messe & Chants Au Monastère De Keur Moussa'', [[Arion (record label)|Arion]], 2010.</ref>

An electric instrument modeled on the kora (but made primarily of metal) called the [[gravikord]] was invented in the late 20th century by instrument builder and musician Robert Grawi. It has 24 strings and is tuned and played differently than the kora. Another instrument, the [[gravi-kora]], a 21-stringed electro-acoustic instrument, was later developed by Robert Grawi especially for kora players who wanted a modern instrument. Its playing and tuning are the same as the traditional kora.<ref>The gravi-kora in the Gravikord web site : http://www.gravikord.com/instrument.html#gravikord {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207045944/http://www.gravikord.com/instrument.html#gravikord |date=2011-02-07 }}</ref> The gravi-kora has been adopted by kora players such as Daniel Berkman,<ref>''Calabash Moon'', Magnatune, 2005 ; ''Heartstrings'', Magnatune, 2009. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRdNBQCjQq8 Video (Daniel Berkman on Gravikord, 1998) ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303084343/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRdNBQCjQq8 |date=2011-03-03 }}</ref> [[Jacques Burtin]],<ref>''Le Chant de la Forêt (The Song of the Forest)'', suite for kora, gravi-kora, flute and viola, Bayard Musique, 2008. [http://vimeo.com/16879519 Video (Gravi-kora improvisation by Jacques Burtin, 2010) ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114070153/http://vimeo.com/16879519 |date=2012-11-14 }}</ref> and [[Foday Musa Suso]], who featured it in recordings with jazz innovator [[Herbie Hancock]],<ref>''Village Life'', Columbia, 1985 ; ''Jazz Africa'', Polydor, 1987.</ref> with his band ''Mandingo'', and on Suso's ''New World Power'' album.<ref>''New World Power'', produced by Bill Laswell and Foday Musa Suso, Island Records, 1990.</ref>