This group of instruments is the largest in Africa. They are simply all the instruments that do not fall into the categories of skins, strings, and winds. There are many different kinds of instruments in this category. They do not make sounds in the same way, and they do not have a typical use.

This thumb piano, made by the Shona peoples, is part of the idiophone group. It plays a very important role in the life of these people. It is played as entertainment, and in important ceremonies that help solve problems

Create your own a thumb piano

Image Credit:
Thumb piano (called an mbira), made by the Shona peoples of Zimbabwe during the twentieth century. Made of wood, metal, wire and bottle caps.

Lent by the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, gift of Helen and Dr. Robert Kuhn, X87.521; photograph by Don Cole.

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