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kalimba

American  
[kuh-lim-buh] / kəˈlɪm bə /

noun

  1. mbira.


Etymology

Origin of kalimba

1950–55; the instrument's name in a number of Bantu languages of East Africa, e.g., Bisa, Lala (Zambia), Tumbuka, Nyanja (Malawi); cf. marimba

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He scored the opening scenes, which paint a portrait of the vibrant, thriving Dahomey village, with African pastorale — bouncing a string orchestra along with a gentle groove on regional instruments including kalimba and kora.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 17, 2022

Here’s a kalimba, an African thumb piano with metal tines that plink like a music box.

From Washington Post Aug. 15, 2021

On Wednesday, he’ll bring some combination of the many instruments he has mastered — including the kalimba and the hammered dulcimer — to Elsewhere’s rooftop concert series.

From New York Times Aug. 15, 2019

At one point you also hear a kalimba and berimbau and didgeridoo all at the same time.

From Slate Mar. 29, 2019

A woman in white hurries to the door, believing against all reason that she has just heard the ailing President playing a song on the kalimba.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

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