Xylophone, mbila, comprising ten wooden keys on a wooden frame, with ten gourd resonators. See associated striker [2022.41.1.2]

Collection type: Object
Description: Xylophone, mbila, comprising ten wooden keys on a wooden frame, with ten gourd resonators. See associated striker [2022.41.1.2]
Long description: Xylophone, mbila, comprising ten wooden keys on a wooden frame, with ten gourd resonators. The keys, which get progressively narrower, are held together by thongs of rawhide and lashed to a bent, three-sided wooden frame. Four thin wooden bars divide the keys into pairs. Along the back, two wooden bars run horizontally. Onto these, ten gourd resonators of decreasing size are fitted, each one comprising two spherical pieces of gourd glued together with resin. See associated striker [2022.41.1.2]
Geographical reference: South Africa (Place of Origin)
Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa (Place of Origin)
Cultural groups: Ndebele
Person: Associated person F.W. Bourdillon; Associated person Sir Thomas Tancred
Date
Acquisition information: Found unentered: 2006
Materials and processes: Material Gourd Plant, Material Wood Plant, Material Animal Rawhide Skin, Material Resin Plant, Process Carved, Process Strung, Process Tied, Process Glued
Dimensions: Width 685 mm, Height 470 mm, Depth 145 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 2022.41.1.1 Other numbers: 67

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