the mbira - introduction

              

The mbira of the Shona people of Zimbabwe is a musical instrument of ancient origin with rows of hand-forged, tuned metal keys bound to a wooden soundboard. The mbira is often decorated with metal beads, shells or, more recently, bottle caps, which provide a buzzing quality -- an integral part of the music.

 

The mbira player strokes the ends of the keys with the two thumbs and the right index finger, producing ringing, polyrhythmic tapestries that accompany stories, songs and dance.

Placing the mbira inside a large gourd resonator (deze) amplifies and shapes the sound, allowing it to be heard in group settings and bringing out the mbira's full tone.

Seed-filled gourd rattles called hosho usually accompany the mbira, providing the rhythmic driving beat for both mbira and singing,

 

While the mbira can be played solo, mbira music is multi-part music and its full depth comes out when played by two or more mbira players.

Mbira is commonly played by several mbira players, one or more hosho players, and one or more singers (often the mbira players).

Mbira music has played a central role in the religious and everyday life of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. At religious ceremonies the mbira's sound draws the ancestral spirits down to earth, where they possess spirit mediums and participants.

Mbira is a participatory experience. Accompanying the mbira and hosho players you find everyone present participating in the experience — clapping, dancing and singing.

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