Materials are assembled
Rosewood handle bars are turned on antique wood lathe
Cowskin is stretched over half-gourd (calabash) imported from Africa
Skin is fastened to the gourd
Bars are inserted across sound-top
Decorative fasteners are applied
Openings are cut for soundhole and neck
Neck is shaped to size and holes are drilled for tuners and strings
Tailpiece is fabricated and fit to the neck
Neck is inserted through body
Kora bridge and bridge plate are carved
Kora-strings are mounted
Kora is finished (the average instrument takes anywhere from 50hrs to 100hrs or more to build, the cost for materials and parts is between 400.- to 1000.-)
Final inspection by Toumani Diabate and Bela Fleck