mbira

[ uhm-beer-uh ]

noun

1. a traditional musical instrument of Zimbabwe and Malawi, usually consisting of a resonating box to which vibrating metal or wooden strips are attached for plucking.
2. mbila ( def 1 ).

mbira

/ əmˈbiːrə /

noun

1. an African musical instrument consisting of tuned metal strips attached to a resonating box, which are plucked with the thumbs Also calledthumb piano

Word History and Origins

Origin of mbira¹

First recorded in 1905–10; from Shona; marimba ( def ), mbila, thumb piano

Word History and Origins

Origin of mbira¹

Shona

Example Sentences

For once, the cavernous 1980s drums are swapped for the plucked keys of a Zimbabwean mbira, while a weary Taylor emerges from the ruins of a relationship.

From BBC

Old Takawira sang in a reedy voice as his son played an mbira, a hand piano.

From Literature

The mbira, or thumb piano, provided the main current, joined by percussion and guitar and topped by vocals in many languages other than English: ululations, choral harmonies, the growl or patter of McIntosh Jerahuni, the clarion call of the wonderful Fatima Katiji.

From New York Times

This is Lewis’s ninth album as a leader, and his first with the new Red Lily Quintet, featuring Kirk Knuffke on cornet, Christopher Hoffman on cello, William Parker on bass and guimbri, and Chad Taylor on drums and mbira.

From New York Times

I also listen to a lot of mbira music from Zimbabwe, which I find on a website called mbira.org – you can’t really find it on streaming sites.

From The Guardian