Cultural Journal Report
Ways of Making and Playing the Mbira
by Yuji Matsuhira
published 2012
Summary
This article is about the traditional Zimbabwean (Shona) instrument, Mbira. The Mbira is a percussion instrument that is used during religious ceremonies, and is used during other various rituals and during ancestor worship. It looks similar to a xylophone, but its teeth are longer. The article discusses the cultural aspects of the Mbira instrument, including the religious background and who uses the Mbira. Then it explains what the Mbira is made out of and how it is put together. Lastly, the article tells how to play the instrument.
Thoughts
The Mbira is a fun sounding instrument. I've never heard of it prior to this article. It sounds very important, like it's used for really important events, such as funerals or at times when religious traditions are carried out. The Mbira really reminds me of a cross between a xylophone and the big instrument that one of my friends in band used to play (Marimba?).
Tying Into Zimbabwe's Culture
The Mbira is used during specific Zimbabwean (Shona) events. These include funerals, agricultural events held yearly, and the other miscellaneous rituals. Funerals include three rituals and the mbira is played in memory of the deceased person. Then the Mbira is played again during agricultural events. It's played during the winter to pray to keep food shortages away, and then again to pray for rain. Another time it's used is to give thanks for a good harvest. Finally, the Mbira is used to help cure an unknown illness, and the music is dedicated to ancestral spirits.