Thumb Piano Item Number: Aa73 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

A hollowed wooden block with sixteen flattened, then curved, bicycle spokes of varying lengths laid parallel to each other and crossing an inset metal plate. The spokes are held in place across their flattened ends by a metal rod, whose ends have been pounded into the wooden block. The rod is secured by four metal loops spaced across its length and pinned into the block. A small metal rod projecting from the opposite end of the instrument holds twelve small metal rings.

History Of Use

The sanza, or mbira (Shona language) is a plucked idiophone (or lamellaphone) that has been in use for thousands of years, and is played widely throughout the African continent. It is known by many different names, and has undergone variations, but the general style and function remain consistent. The instrument is more widely used by peoples of Bantu descent, often called kalimba or mbira, but it has also been adopted and used in the folk music of younger Khoisan generations, where it is known as dongu or sitengema.

Cultural Context

Musical insturment.

Item History

What

Name
Thumb Piano
Identification Number
Aa73
Type of Item
thumb piano
Material
grewium wood and metal
Manufacturing Technique
carved, drilled, pounded and bent
Overall
height 15.5 cm, width 15.0 cm, depth 3.7 cm

Who

Culture
Khoisan ?
Previous Owner
Frank A. Gaudin
Received from
Frank A. Gaudin (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Botswana

When

Collection Date
between 1967 and 1975
Ownership Date
before September 15, 1975
Acquisition Date
on September 15, 1975

Other

Item Classes
metalwork
Condition
good
Accession Number
0287/0059