The following is a supplement to the article "The Grand Mande Guitar Tradition of the Western Sahel and Savannah" by Eric Charry in The World of Music, 1994, volume 36, number 2, pages 21-61.
Mande guitar players primarily come from Mali and Guinea. Their country of origin greatly influences their guitar playing style. Briefly, those from Mali are influenced by nkoni (lute) playing styles that permeate the sahel. Those from Guinea are influenced by the balafon (Maninka xylophone).
Transcriptions and photos may be found in my book "Mande Music." Sound examples can be found in my forthcoming CD companion to the book (due out around November).