BY PURCHASING this item YOU PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR impoverished SUB-SAHARAN
communities and contribute to ngo grassroots AIDS orphan
programs
This item is purchased by donating to the fundraising programs of our
non-profit. The price is the minim=
um
donation for you to receive ONE (1) original handmade traditional musical instrument:
Fair Trade Afr=
ican
Musical Instrument
MULTI-KEY THUMB PIANO (MBIRA)=
Zimbabwe: Shona
Tribe
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Description
and Details |
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Country: |
Zimbabwe |
Pictured is a generic genuine multi-key (20 to 28 tines) handmade
Mbira. These are genuine African
musical instruments from Zimbabwe and the top of the range made for
professional musicians. The traditional percussion musical instrument, pl=
ayed
with the two thumbs plucking down and the right forefinger plucking up is
unique to Shona indigenous music. Variations of the =
instrumentare
ubiquitous throughout Africa with more than a 100 names including marimba,
mbira, sanasa, kalimba, etc. From Zimbabwe,
the professional instrument maker determines the length of the keys (tine=
s)
and hence the tune and pitch of the instrument. After manufacture, he pla=
ys
or has it played by a musician in a Shona ensemble to tune and adjust the
instrument. This type of mbira is the main instrument for Shona marimba b=
ands
and instrumental groups. The steel keys are tuned by adjusting forward or
backward and/or adjusting the spring of the tine. A metal strip with bott=
le
tops or steel rattles provides resonance producing a metallic symbol sound
when tapped with the finger or hand. They also vibrate in resonance with =
the
tines creating a sub-tone. Detail: Zimbabwe's
mbira is the primary traditional instrument of the Zezuru tribes of the S=
hona
people, and has been played for over 1,000 years at religious rituals, ro=
yal
courts, and social occasions. It consists of 22 to 28 metal keys mounted =
on a
hardwood soundboard and is traditionally placed inside a large gourd
resonator (deze). These do not have the deze (they are coming). Shona music:=
Although best known for their stone sculpture, the Shona Tribe of Zimbabwe
has a rich artistic heritage that includes music and musical instruments.=
The
traditional musical repertoire of the Shona is largely based on a unique
system of harmonic progressions; melodic themes and variations layered in
polyrhythmic, cyclic patterns. One of the most fascinating music traditio=
ns
of Bantu-speaking Africa, an evolution reaching far back into pre-colonial
times and, therefore, transcending the ethno-historical horizon of written
sources. A Shona mbira piece consists of a basic cyclical pattern, which
includes numerous intertwined melodies, often with contrasting rhythms. T=
he
extensive possibilities for rhythmic and melodic variation render each
performance unique. When two mbiras are played together, the interlocking
parts result in rich polyphony and polyrhythms. Décor uses:<=
/span>
when not used as an instrument the Mbiras are used in cultural, music, or
eclectic themed décor. Gift:=
The Mbira without a doubt make an interesting and different gift suitable=
for
any occasion or celebration; a smart choice for that musician or ‘hard-to=
-buy
for’ or ‘who-has-everything’ person. It will be a delightful addition to =
an
African, Shona, or music collection or theme at the home and the office.
Print this description to accompany the gift to the recipient. They will =
be
thrilled to know the gift they received came to them by helping a good ca=
use. Special orde=
rs:
our local team can get instruments made to order in the tuning of your ch=
oice
‘nyamaropa (several pitches: G/marimba, "medium low",
Magaya "Standard", etc), mavembe (gandanga), Dambatsoko, katsanzaira, nemakonde,=
saungweme, dongonda, an=
d other
tunings. See conditions for special orders. This is a
general description of the instruments in our possession. Thus, data are
approximate and there could be slight variations in number of tines, size,
base color, and resonance plate or bar from the accompanying photographs.
Satisfaction guaranteed! Should you be dissatisfied for any reason
whatsoever, the product may be swapped for a similar or any other product=
of
similar or lesser value. |
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Region: |
Harare |
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Artist: |
Local Mbira
artisan in Mbare township |
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Date: |
2008 |
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Type: |
Mbira
(musicians’ instrument) |
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Tuning: |
Nyamaropa
(standard pitch)” |
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Medium: |
Wood and ste=
el |
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Original: |
Musical
Instrument |
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Style: |
Multi-Key (t=
ine)
with thumb grip |
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N=
ominal
Dimensions and Data |
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height x length=
x
width (variance) |
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inches |
7=
½ =
x 8
x 1 (+1) |
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millimeters |
190 x 202 x 25 (+25) |
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Weight [Mass] |
2=
6 (+2) oz [737 (+56)
g] |
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© Kwaze-Kwasa [USA] Inc. |
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Your generous
donation helps us provide sustainable empl=
oyment
to the impoverished communities and funding to their grassroots AIDS orphan=
programs.
Africans enslaved in the Americas brought with them the tradition of
making both the small and large forms of the thumb piano. The small type on=
ce
was widespread in parts of the Caribbean, South America, Central, South
America, and the United States (one form, the so-called marimba Brett, was
documented in Louisiana in the late 1800s). Over time, however, it become
extinct except for in a few pockets such as Suriname, where a split-cane ty=
pe
called papái bèntá continues to be made and played by the Saramaka people. =
The
large box type (featuring anywhere from four to eight metal keys mounted on=
a
packing case) has fared considerably better. It occurs widely in the Caribb=
ean
and in South and Central America under several names, including marímbula
(Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama), manouba, manimba or malimba (Haiti),
mento box, rumba box (Jamaica), and bass box (Trinidad). In those areas, the
instrument provides the bass rhythm in folkloric ensembles. These musical
instruments occur virtually throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Varieties of
indigenous names exist and they are played as part of an ensemble of indige=
nous
instruments like the xylophone style marimba.
BY PURCHASING this item YOU PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR impoverished SUB-SAHARAN
communities and contribute to ngo grassroots AIDS orphan
programs