This mbira (pronounced UM-beer-ra), consisting of a hand-carved wooden base with attached staggered recycled metal tines that is nestled into a chipboard case to increase resonance, is played by holding the instrument in the hands and plucking the tines with the thumbs. A particularly common musical instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, it is also often an important instrument to be played at religious ceremonies, weddings, and other social gatherings.

A beautiful gift for world music enthusiasts!

Measures 14"D x 3.75"T.

About the Artisans:

Artisans handcraft quality musical instruments that traditionally figure strongly in Shona ceremonies, using recycled wood and metal.

These xylophones are carefully calibrated musical instruments that produce an amazingly resonant sound with warm, round tones. This beautiful instrument includes 8 notes, and a set of mallets.

Measures approximately 16”L x 14”W x 2.5”H. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation is expected.

About the Artisans:

Vaima Arts Trust is an amazing organization that uses music and creative arts to empower, rehabilitate, and advocate for marginalized members of their communities. Officially started in 2017, they teach the people they work with how to play, and create Zimbabwean instruments. "Vaima," a Shona word meaning "shine bright," encapsulates their mission to spread joy and creativity using music.

These xylophones are carefully calibrated musical instruments that produce an amazingly resonant sound with warm, round tones. This beautiful instrument includes 12 notes, and a set of mallets.

Measures approximately 24”L x 17”W x 2.5”H. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation is expected.

About the Artisans:

Vaima Arts Trust is an amazing organization that uses music and creative arts to empower, rehabilitate, and advocate for marginalized members of their communities. Officially started in 2017, they teach the people they work with how to play, and create Zimbabwean instruments. "Vaima," a Shona word meaning "shine bright," encapsulates their mission to spread joy and creativity using music.

These xylophones are carefully calibrated musical instruments that produce an amazingly resonant sound with warm, round tones. This beautiful instrument includes 17 notes, and a set of mallets.

Measures approximately 34”L x 17”W x 3.5”H. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation is expected.

About the Artisans:

Vaima Arts Trust is an amazing organization that uses music and creative arts to empower, rehabilitate, and advocate for marginalized members of their communities. Officially started in 2017, they teach the people they work with how to play, and create Zimbabwean instruments. "Vaima," a Shona word meaning "shine bright," encapsulates their mission to spread joy and creativity using music.

These xylophones are carefully calibrated musical instruments that produce an amazingly resonant sound with warm, round tones greater than that of steel xylophones.

This West African percussion instrument includes 6 wooden notes with calabash gourd resonators of decreasing size (underneath). Traditionally crafted, this is a beautifully tuned instrument. Mallet included.

Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.

Dimensions: 16"L x 12"W x 10"T

Crafted from:  mansonia wood, gourds

Made in:  Ghana

About the Artisans:

Ghanaian artisan James, handcrafts gorgeous balafons. James works from an artisan collective on the beach in Accra's Osu neighborhood. He utilizes mansonia wood and gourds to create these beautiful instruments known for their warm tones. 

These beautiful drums are crafted using a calabash or gourd, a stretched goatskin top, and finished with black braided rope. The rounded shapes of these drums are defined by the organic shapes of the gourds, and stabilized by a circle of braided rope around the base.

Artfully crafted by Ghanaian artisans, these drums are beautiful, fully functional instruments. Producing a rattling sound when shaken, these instruments are fair trade and their size is portable.

Size: approximately 10" across the head of the drum, 13" total width, 10" tall.

A functional and miniature piece of art, these tiny African drums are carved from a single piece of hollowed wood. Goatskin is stretched taut across the top and held in place by pieces of braided nylon and cotton cord. Each djembe is decorated with colorful ribbon and black painted designs, and each is different! Painted motifs vary and can include abstract shapes, dots, checkerboard, and stars.

Makes a great gift for kids! Fair trade from Senegal.

Dimensions: 3.5"L x 3.5"W x 4"H

Crafted from: Wood, goatskin, nylon, cotton

Made in: Senegal

Due to the handcrafted nature of this time, variation is expected.

About the Artisans:

We purchase these instruments from a small co-op of Senegalese artisans in Guediawaye Artisan Village, located in Dakar.

These gorgeous drums are crafted from tweneboa wood, a stretched goatskin top, and finished with intricate hand-carved geometric designs. Each drum is fully functional and makes a wonderful gift for musicians.

Sold individually.

Small Drum: 17.5-23"T x 9.5-12"W (6"D head).

Medium Drum: 22-25"T x 10-14"W (7"D head). 

Large Drum: 24-26"T x 11-17" W (10"D head). 

Designs are assorted, drums will be similar to examples in images. Each drum is a unique instrument and piece of art, and each carving is unique.

Extra shipping charges may apply for the larger drums. Questions about shipping? Visit our Shipping FAQ.

About the Artisans:

Created by Ghanaian artisan Akaleay, these drums are handcrafted from tweneboa wood. Akaleay works from an artisan collective on the beach in the Osu neighborhood of Accra. Tweneboa wood, used extensively for crafting drums, is known for its beautiful blonde color and subtle grain. The Ashanti hold native trees in sacred regard, and traditionally entreat a tree's spirit before felling.

These gorgeous drums are crafted from tweneboa wood, a stretched goatskin top, and finished with intricate hand-carved designs featuring elephants. Each drum is fully functional and makes a wonderful gift for musicians.

Sold individually.

Small Drum: 17.5-23.5"T x 9.5-12"W (6"D head).

Medium Drum: 22-24"T x 10-14"W (7-8"D head). 

Large Drum: 24-25"T x 11-17" W (9-10"D head). 

Due to the handcrafted nature of these instruments, variation is expected, drums will be similar to examples in images. Each drum is a unique instrument and piece of art, and each carving is unique.

Extra shipping charges may apply for the larger drums. Questions about shipping? Visit our Shipping FAQ.

About the Artisans:

Created by Ghanaian artisan Akaleay, these drums are handcrafted from tweneboa wood. Akaleay works from an artisan collective on the beach in the Osu neighborhood of Accra. Tweneboa wood, used extensively for crafting drums, is known for its beautiful blonde color and subtle grain. The Ashanti hold native trees in sacred regard, and traditionally entreat a tree's spirit before felling.

These African balaphons are traditionally crafted in Senegal using wooden note planks, cotton cord, and calabash gourd resonators.

Each balaphon is a consider to be a tuned African musical instrument that is as inviting to the eye as to the hand. Mallets are included.

16 note measures 29-30"L x 14"W x 6-7"T.

Talented artisans in Senegal handcraft quality musical instruments that figure strongly in West African music. Their djembes, balaphons and koras are used locally and collected by African music enthusiasts around the world.

These African balaphons are traditionally crafted in Senegal using wooden note planks, cotton cord, and calabash gourd resonators.

Each balaphon is an African musical instrument that is as inviting to the eye as to the hand. Mallets are included.

Choose from 6 or 8 note sizes:

• 6 note measures approximately 10"L x 8"W x 5" T.
• 8 Note measures approximately 13-14"L x 9"W x 6"T.

Mallets measure 10".

About the Artisans

Talented artisans in Senegal handcraft quality musical instruments that figure strongly in West African music. Their djembes, balaphons and koras are used locally and collected by African music enthusiasts around the world.