The Mbira is a traditional musical instrument from Africa, particularly associated with the Shona people of Zimbabwe. It consists of a wooden board with metal tines of varying lengths attached to it. Players pluck the tines with their thumbs to produce melodic sounds, often accompanied by a resonator made from a gourd or metal to amplify the sound. The Mbira is often used in cultural ceremonies and social gatherings, serving as a means of communication with ancestors and spirits. It is also known as a thumb piano and is part of the broader category of instruments called lamellophones, which produce sound through vibrating metal or bamboo tongues.