: Historically, it is the instrument of the griots (storytellers and oral historians). It is used to praise nobility, recount history, and perform at ceremonies.

: 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.

: Artisans and musicians today offer signature xalams with international shipping, keeping the craft alive for a global audience.

: It is frequently paired with other traditional instruments like the ngoni or kora to create layered, rhythmic structures that resemble classical compositions.