These types of instrument appear to have been invented twice in Africa: a wood or bamboo-tined instrument appeared on the west coast of Africa about 3,000 years ago, and metal-tined lamellophones appeared in the Zambezi River valley around 1,300 years ago.

How old is the mbira?

A wooden version of the mbira - with bamboo tines instead of metal - was first created in West Africa 3,000 years ago. The version that exists today, with metal tines, has been around for 1,300 years.

What is the origin of the mbira?

The thumb piano, or mbira – a name derived from Shona language of Zimbabwe - is uniquely African percussion instrument. In the distant past it was made entirely of wood or bamboo and could have been used for a few thousand years.