# Risks

## Cultural And Public-Release Risks

- The kora is a culturally situated West African instrument associated with Mande/Mandinka traditions and jali/griot musicianship. A public repo can easily overclaim authority even when the engineering is careful.
- The segmented wooden bowl is a practical prototype substitute and must not be described as a traditional calabash.
- Public marketing language should avoid `authentic`, `traditional replica`, `improved`, or `modernized kora` unless reviewed and approved by qualified cultural collaborators.
- Visuals should not copy specific makers' instruments without permission.

Mitigation: keep private until review; add explicit provenance notes; invite review from a knowledgeable kora player/maker or cultural advisor.

## String Tension Risks

- Current workbook calculations put several treble strings near or above practical nylon break targets.
- Wound bass string modeling uses an effective density factor and may not match real strings.
- String breakage can be high energy, especially near the player's face and hands.

Mitigation: use low-tension mule schedule first; require real string unit-weight data; use shields and staged pull-up.

## Bridge Risks

- The 6 in bridge is tall relative to the head and can rock under asymmetric load.
- Notches can concentrate stress or create string buzz if spacing is wrong.
- A narrow bridge foot can dent or tear the membrane.

Mitigation: use sacrificial bridge prototypes; test foot pads; photograph lean; increase footprint before final bridge.

## Resonator And Head Risks

- A segmented wooden bowl will not behave exactly like calabash.
- Hide head humidity response can change tension and bridge loading.
- Tacks or lacing can split the rim or tear the membrane.

Mitigation: test material samples; round all contact surfaces; record humidity; do not make acoustic claims before measurement.

## Neck And Joint Risks

- Total string load can exceed 200 lbf if the workbook tension ramp is used literally.
- A bowl-wall-only joint is not acceptable for the first full-tension prototype.
- Tail anchor edges can cut strings or deform under load.

Mitigation: continuous through-neck or internal spine; load-rated rounded tail hardware; proof-load at 1.5x planned total tension.

## Ergonomic Risks

- Hand posts may force wrist extension if bridge/bank spacing is not player-tested.
- Tuning access may be awkward or unsafe under tension.
- Instrument balance may shift if electronics or a heavy segmented bowl is added.

Mitigation: cardboard/wood mockup first; 15 minute player comfort test; measure reach and posture before drilling final handle holes.

## Release Recommendation

Private pending review. Candidate for public release only after safety validation, measured prototype data, final cultural wording review, and replacement of placeholder drawings/images.