mbira

Where does the word "mbira" come from? It comes from Shona mbira, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

Mbira’s story begins in Shona: mbira meant “a plucked lamellophone central to Shona spiritual life.” A hand-held instrument with metal tines, played in ceremonies to honor ancestral spirits. It reached English by 1900s as mbira. Entered English through ethnomusicology and world-music circles describing the instrument. Today, mbira means a traditional African musical instrument (thumb piano) with metal tines plucked to produce melodic tones, originating with Zimbabwe's Shona people.

1. Stage 1 · Shona · medieval mbira "a plucked lamellophone central to Shona spiritual life", a hand-held instrument with metal tines, played in ceremonies to honor ancestral spirits.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s mbira "an African thumb piano with metal keys plucked by the thumbs", entered English through ethnomusicology and world-music circles describing the instrument.