How do gourd resonators and mirlitons change the sound of African xylophones?

In African xylophones, gourd resonators and mirlitons work together to shape the instrument's distinct timbre.

• Gourd Resonators: These are typically mounted beneath each wooden key to amplify the sound produced when the keys are struck.12
• Mirlitons: Often referred to as a "singing membrane," this device is frequently attached to apertures in the walls of the gourd resonators. Common materials for these membranes include spider’s egg sacs.342

When the xylophone is played, the sound waves produced by the vibrating wooden keys cause the mirliton membrane to vibrate as well. This process imparts a characteristic buzzing edge or "buzzing quality" to the tone of the instrument. This modification is a defining feature of many African xylophones, such as the balo or balafon of West Africa and the marimba found in Bantu-language regions.5126