mbira

English

Etymology

From Shona mbira (“thumb piano”).

Noun

mbira (plural mbiras)

1. (music) A thumb piano, a musical instrument having a small sound box fitted with a row of tuned tabs that are plucked with the thumbs, originating among the Shona of southern Africa; any type of plucked lamellophone of the same type as the Shona instrument.

   Synonyms: finger piano, sanza, thumb piano

   Hyponyms: kalimba, likembe, marimba

Derived terms

• array mbira

References

• 2003. "Mbira (Thumb Piano)". Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Edited by John Shepherd. Pg. 388.

Anagrams

• Birma, MBARI, abrim, brami, imbar, mbari

Chichewa

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈᵐbí.ɽa/

Noun

mbíra class 9 (plural mbíra class 10)

1. rock hyrax

Lindu

Noun

mbira

1. part; section

Shona

Noun

mbíra class 9 (plural mbíra class 10)

1. rock hyrax

Noun

mbira class 9 (plural mbira class 10)

1. thumb piano; mbira