Mbira

Mbira

Mbira or 'thumb piano' is a traditional African ,Zimbabwean musical instrument consisting of a basic cyclical pattern which includes numerous intertwined melodies, often with contrasting rhythms^[1] Mbira was traditionally used at religious ceremonies to evoke spiritual possession. Later, the instrument started to be incorporated in contemporary and pop music. Though most popular in Zmbabwe, mbira is also played in some African countries, albeit with different names.

Origins

The history of mbira started in the 14th Century at the Great Zimbabwe ruins where the first mbira was made. It is believed, that a spirit came among theShona and taught them how to to make the musical instrument.^[2]

Different names

• the likembe and sanza in Congo
• the ikembe in Rwanda and Burundi
• the prempremsuah and gyilgo in Ghana
• the ilimba and chirimba in Tanzania
• the kadongo and akogo in Uganda
• the kalimba in Kenya

Construction

Mbira has been played by the Shona for over 700 yers. The instrument itself consists of 22 to 28 metal keys mounted on a hardwood soundboard known as a gwariva in Shona. The board is made from an indigenous tree, the mubvamaropa tree (Pterocarpus angolensis). Originally the the metal keys were smelted directly from rock containing iron ore but with time, now, they may be made from recycled steel such as resofa springs, bicycle spokes or car seat springs.^[3] For amplification, mira is placed inside a ' deze' (calabash resonator) mounted with bottle tops or shells.