mbira

[mˈbɪərə]

mbira Definition

• 1. a musical instrument originating in Zimbabwe, consisting of a wooden board with attached staggered metal tines, which are plucked to produce the sound
• 2. a genre of music originating in Zimbabwe that features the mbira as the lead instrument

Using mbira: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mbira" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  He played the mbira beautifully.

• Example

  The mbira is an important instrument in traditional Shona music.

• Example

  I love listening to mbira music.

mbira Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for mbira

• kalimba
• thumb piano

Phrases with mbira

• mbira dzavadzimu

  the 'mbira of the ancestors,' a type of mbira used in religious ceremonies and believed to connect the living with the spirits of their ancestors

  Example

  The mbira dzavadzimu is a sacred instrument in Shona culture.

• mbira orchestra

  a group of musicians who play mbiras together, often in a traditional or ceremonial context

  Example

  The mbira orchestra performed at the cultural festival.

• mbira maker

  a person who crafts mbiras by hand, often using traditional methods and materials

  Example

  The mbira maker was renowned for his skill and attention to detail.

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Summary: mbira in Brief

The term 'mbira' [mˈbɪərə] refers to a musical instrument and genre originating in Zimbabwe. The mbira is a wooden board with attached metal tines that are plucked to produce sound. It is also the lead instrument in a genre of music called mbira music. The mbira dzavadzimu is a sacred instrument in Shona culture, while a mbira orchestra is a group of musicians who play mbiras together.