Music plays a large role in Senufo ceremonial and secular performance. Musical instruments such as this are frequently used in funereal and divination practices. The sounding chamber of this object is constructed from a hollowed-out gourd covered with tanned cowhide and painted with a decorative design. A carved female figurine sits atop this gourd base and originally served as the bridge to connect the four hide strings to the neck of the instrument. When used in divining practices, the korikaariye would have been played to invite the presence of spirits. The figure arising out of the gourd-base may be a physical representation of the spirit to whom the music is directed.