Mbira (/ ə m ˈ b ɪər ə / əm-BEER-ə) are a family of musical instruments, traditional to the Shona people of Zimbabwe. They consist of a wooden board (often fitted with a resonator) with attached staggered metal tines , played by holding the instrument in the hands and plucking the tines with the thumbs (at minimum), the right forefinger ...

Aug 28, 2020 · The mbira instrument family includes mbira dzavadzimu (also known as nhare), mbira nyunganyunga (also popularly known as nyunga nyunga, nyonganyonga and karimba), matepe (and closely related instruments madhebe and hera), njari, and mbira dzavandau.

Mbira pervades all aspects of Shona traditional culture, both sacred and secular. The most important function of mbira is as a “telephone to the spirits”, used to contact both deceased ancestors and even more ancient tribal guardians, at all-night bira (pl. mapira) ceremonies.

Apr 5, 2025 · mbira, plucked idiophone (instrument whose sounding parts are resonant solids belonging to the body of the instrument itself)—or more specifically, a lamellaphone—that is unique to Africa and widely distributed throughout the continent.

Feb 21, 2023 · A huge instrument family. The short answer is that these instruments belong to a huge family of instruments that are found all over Africa. Mbira has been used as a generic name for the entire family – so a kalimba is a kind of mbira.

May 22, 2020 · It belongs to a family of musical instruments classified as lamellophones, and it is played in a number of different cultures across the African continent, each with their own name for the instrument. The mbira is an instrument of deep …

Of the different instruments in the mbira family, the most sacred and revered instrument is the 22-key Mbira dzaVadzimu or mbira of the ancestral spirits. Several versions of the same instrument with anywhere between 24 and 28 keys also exist with different tuning.

Mar 31, 2025 · Also known as mbira dzevadzimu (the mbira of the ancestors), the nhare mbira is easily Zimbabwe’s most globally recognised instrument. The nhare mbira is at the heart of traditional Shona spirituality and is revered for its ability to summon the spirits (vadzimu), creating a channel for guidance, blessings, and healing. The name nhare ...

In this accessible overview steeped in history and tradition, teacher and student Māhealani Uchiyama offers insights for learning about the mbira and actively engaging with it in an informed and respectful way. The mbira is made of a wooden soundboard and hammered metal keys.

Feb 18, 2023 · The mbira, also known as the thumb piano, is a musical instrument that has been used for centuries by the people of Zimbabwe and neighboring countries in southern Africa. This traditional instrument has a rich cultural history and is deeply woven into the fabric of …