Guy Mendilow & Mendilusian Wine
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Electric Mbira (Andy
Bergman):
The traditional Mbira is an African "thumb piano" strongly rooted with
the Shona people of Zimbabwe. There are also many similar instruments throughout
Africa (e.g. sanzhi, likembe, and kalimba). The instrument is typically made from
a flat piece of wood with hammered nails for tongs and a resonator often made
of a gourd. For amplification, this electric version forgoes the traditional resonating
body for an electric pickup, much like an electric guitar.
This instrument was made by Lucinda
Ellison.
