| Themes > Arts > Music > Musical Instruments > Musical Instruments of Africa > Lamellophone, sanza | ||
| Africa is the homeland of a peculiar plucked lamellophone. Of the many names given to the instrument by the different African (and Afro-Cuban) populations who use it, sanza and mbira are the most widespread. It is composed of a series of flexible tongues of uneven length, made of metal or bamboo, fixed to a wooden plate or trapezoid sound-box. The musician holds the instrument in both hands and uses the thumbs to pluck the slightly upturned free end of the lamellae.These vary in material, number and arrangement with the regional style of making and playing. | ||
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In the Central African Republic, the sanza is usually played as a solo instrument to relieve a traveller's solitary trek or the night caretaker's long watch. Among the Gybaya people, the instrument accompanies a male repertoire of "songs for thought," or laments. |
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