What are the origins of the Kalimba?

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The origins of the kalimba can be found in Africa where this instrument would have been invented twice: about years ago on the west coast towards Cameroon, as an instrument completely in wood with bamboo, rattan or palm blades, and there is about years old in the Zambezi where we find traces of it with metal strips.

 

Kalimba is the name given by the ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey in the s when he began to introduce in the West this musical instrument of African origin, called mbira by the Shonas ethnic group of Zimbabwe. The mbira is an emblematic instrument of the Shonas culture. This instrument has several names depending on the geographical area where it is used: likembe, sanza or senza in Cameroon and Congo, mbira in Zimbabwe and Malawi, lukeme, karimba in Uganda &#; The Europeans called it thumb piano or finger piano but It is under the name of kalimba that we now designate all the thumb pianos that are not traditional in Africa. Mbira remains the generic name used for traditional African thumb pianos.

The Kalimba is a percussion instrument that is part of the lamellophones

The kalimba is an instrument of the idiophone family which is characterized by a simple structure and which produces sounds thanks to the vibrations of the very matter that constitutes their body. It is a percussion instrument.

It is more precisely a lamellophone whose body consists of a wooden resonance box or a wooden board on which are fixed metal strips of different sizes and shapes clamped between two or three transverse bars. Each strip produces a note.
We can find from 5 to 6 lamellae for the simplest kalimbas up to more than 20 lamellae for the most elaborate.
The kalimba is easily transportable. It is played by taking it in both hands and vibrating the strips with the thumbs.

In Africa, the mbira is an instrument used by griots, storytellers, to accompany   songs and stories. It is also used by mediums to enter mystical trances and communicate with deceased ancestors. It is played at public gatherings such as ceremonies, rituals, weddings or in an intimate family setting when stories are passed on.

A musical instrument recognized for its cultural richness

The art of playing the traditional mbira in Zimbabwe and Malawi was inscribed in on the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

On other continents, the kalimba is more and more famous and is spreading widely. Thanks to its soft and intimate sounds, it is used in &#;world music&#;, in music therapy, for meditations and even in musical awakening.  

We have in our store Boullard Musique in Morges and on our website more than 40 models of kalimbas to offer you. Do not hesitate to come and try them and find the one that resonates the most in you. You can also call our specialists who will be happy to advise you.  

Live the Music! And see you soon!

Now that you know the origins, find out how to play the Kalimba .

The kalimba is an African musical instrument with a wooden soundboard and metal keys. The 15-key kalimba that we are making at Juma Instruments is an instrument that originates from African ethnic groups in Southern Africa. In the classification of musical instruments the kalimba is in the category of lamellophones or plucked idiophones (Hornbostel-Sachs system).

Kalimba is one of the names used for this 15-key African lamellophone. Other language varieties are Nyunga nyunga, Nyonga nyonga and Karimba. Karimba translates to &#;little wooden xylophone&#; and Nyunga nyunga translates to &#;something little that causes fun trouble&#;&#;

Variations of the kalimba are found all across Africa, for example in Zambia they play the Kankobela which has 7 to 12 keys. In Congo they play the Likembe which has 8 keys in pentatonic tuning.

The 15-key kalimba comes tuned in a major key. For players who would like to play more keys we are making the 19-key kalimba, which has got the same basic tuning and layout as the 15-key kalimba but with additional keys from the same scale. We can make different types of kalimba and tunings (minor or custom) on request. You are most welcome to contact us to discuss the options.

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To view the kalimbas available go to our category: Kalimba / Nyunga nyunga

Juma Instruments are made by Zimbabwean instrument maker Dingiswayo Juma. They are quality and solid instruments that can last you a lifetime. All metal keys are hammered by hand and tuned with a tuner to ensure they are in pitch and can be played with other instruments. The soundboard is made of quality hardwood and artistically crafted into shape.

Examples of the tuning layout of the kalimba:

        

15-key kalimba in G major               19-key kalimba in F major

At Kalimbashop we have different models and types of kalimba and mbira instruments for sale. View our handcrafted kalimba instruments. If you want to know more or have any questions you can us at [ protected].

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Kalimba & Nyunga Nyunga

Handmade kalimba nyunga nyunga instruments. The 15-key kalimba is standard tuned in a major key and there is the option to choose a minor key. For players wanting more keys, we have the 19-key kalimba. The 19-key kalimba has got the same basic tuning and layout as the 15-key kalimba but with additional keys. We offer chromatic kalimba in our chromatic instruments section. Custom and other tunings are available upon request, contact us for more information.

The kalimba instrument originates from southern Africa. Juma Instruments are made by Zimbabwean instrument maker Dingiswayo Juma. They are quality and solid instruments. Every metal kalimba key is hammered by hand and fully tuned.

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