Temporarily out of stock.

The deze is the "low-tech amplifier" traditionally used with Shona mbiras. Originally made of a large gourd/calabash, now they are often made by molding fiberglass over a gourd deze, due to recurrent droughts in Zimbabwe. Luckily for you, the fiberglass deze is much less fragile than a gourd one, and possible to ship through the mail. Use a stick (about 3/8" diameter) to wedge the mbira in the deze (base of the stick rests above the top metal bar of the mbira). ***NOTE: We have 16" diameter fiberglass dezes from Zimbabwe in stock, but we cannot ship them. If you can pick one up in Berkeley, California, you are welcome to buy them. the 16" size is $125.

In Zimbabwe, an mbira player who plays in ceremonies is required to get some of this cloth as an offering to his/her "shave rembira" (spirit for playing mbira). If you wish to order more than one yard, we will send it as one uncut piece of fabric.

In Zimbabwe, an mbira player who plays in ceremonies is required to get some of this cloth as an offering to his/her "shave rembira" (spirit for playing mbira).

In Shona culture, bangles made of copper and/or brass are believed to prevent or reduce any wrist problems from playing mbira. These 1/8-inch wide brass bangles are adjustable size, as they are not closed, so they are particularly good for people with large hands.

In Shona culture, bangles made of copper and/or brass are believed to prevent or reduce any wrist problems from playing mbira. These 1/8-inch wide brass bangles are adjustable size, as they are not closed, so they are particularly good for people with large hands.

In Shona culture, bangles made of copper and/or brass are believed to prevent or reduce any wrist problems from playing mbira. These 1/8-inch wide copper bangles are adjustable size, as they are not closed, so they are particularly good for people with large hands.

In Shona culture, bangles made of copper and/or brass are believed to prevent or reduce any wrist problems from playing mbira. These 1/8-inch wide copper bangles are adjustable size, as they are not closed, so they are particularly good for people with large hands.

In Shona culture, bangles made of copper and/or brass are believed to prevent or reduce any wrist problems from playing mbira. These bangles of twisted copper and brass are available in 2 1/4, 2 1/2 and 2 3/4-inch diameter. Please note which size(s) you want on your order.

In Shona culture, bangles made of copper and/or brass are believed to prevent or reduce any wrist problems from playing mbira. These bangles of twisted copper and brass are available in 2 1/4, 2 1/2 and 2 3/4-inch diameter. Please note which size you want on your order.

3 bubblewrap bag with zippers. This type of bag is particularly useful when travelling with an mbira on an airplane - your mbira will be sealed and will not experience the low humidity which may cause keys to become loose. You can also use it whenever you are moving around with your mbira. ***Fits all travel-size mbiras and smaller mbiras (for example those made by Charles Ruhukwa or Sam Mujuru), for other mbiras please select bag for Large or Medium Size Mbira, not this one.

A bubblewrap bag with zipper. This type of bag is particularly useful when travelling with an mbira on an airplane - your mbira will be sealed and will not experience the low humidity which may cause keys to become loose. You can also use it whenever you are moving around with your mbira. ***Fits all travel-size mbiras and smaller mbiras (for example those made by Charles Ruhukwa or Sam Mujuru), for other mbiras please select bag for Large or Medium Size Mbira, not this one.

3 heavy-duty double-layer ziplock bags with built-in bubblewrap between the layers. This type of bag is particularly useful when travelling with an mbira on an airplane - your mbira will be sealed and will not experience the low humidity which may cause keys to become loose. You can also use it whenever you are moving around with your mbira. This size will fit all mbiras MBIRA sells, but for travel-size and smaller mbiras (for example those made by Ruhukwa or Sam Mujuru), please select bag for Small Size Mbira, not this one.

A heavy-duty double-layer ziplock bag with built-in bubblewrap between its layers. This type of bag is particularly useful when travelling with an mbira on an airplane - your mbira will be sealed and will not experience the low humidity which may cause keys to become loose. You can also use it whenever you are moving around with your mbira. This size will fit all mbiras MBIRA sells, but for travel-size and smaller mbiras (for example those made by Ruhukwa or Sam Mujuru), please select bag for Small Size Mbira, not this one.

Single Fingerpick. Note: For a child, or a woman with narrow thumbs, please order a Fingerpick to use on your thumb, not a thumbpick. Size is adjustable: open the double prongs on the pick, place metal loop against the pad of your thumb/finger (NOT the nail), pinch the double prongs so they are tight. Now, play without pain all night! Even if you have strong nails, get a set for emergencies (nail breaks, etc.) Note: one plays mbira with the flesh of the thumbs & finger, backed by the nail; so, without nails at least to the end of your thumbs and finger, many people get blisters where the thumb is pushed against the nail's edge. This is particularly true when starting to learn mbira, before you develop calluses.

Single Thumbpick. (For a child, or a woman with narrow thumbs, please order a Fingerpick to use on your thumb.) Size is adjustable: open the double prongs on the pick, place metal loop against the pad of your thumb/finger (NOT the nail), pinch the double prongs so they are tight. Now, play without pain all night! Even if you have strong nails, get a set for emergencies (nail breaks, etc.) Note: one plays mbira with the flesh of the thumbs & finger, backed by the nail; so, without nails at least to the end of your thumbs and finger, many people get blisters where the thumb is pushed against the nail's edge. This is particularly true when starting to learn mbira, before you develop calluses.

Two Thumbpicks (marked "M") and one Fingerpick (marked "M"). This "Small" size set is preferable for children and women with thumbs as narrow as the average person's finger. Size is adjustable: open the double prongs on the pick, place metal loop against the pad of your thumb/finger (NOT the nail), pinch the double prongs so they are tight. Now, play without pain all night! Even if you have strong nails, get a set for emergencies (nail breaks, etc.) Note: one plays mbira with the flesh of the thumbs & finger, backed by the nail; so, without nails at least to the end of your thumbs and finger, many people get blisters where the thumb is pushed against the nail's edge. This is particularly true when starting to learn mbira, before you develop calluses.

Two Thumbpicks (marked "L") and one Fingerpick (marked "M"). Size is adjustable: open the double prongs on the pick, place metal loop against the pad of your thumb/finger (NOT the nail), pinch the double prongs so they are tight. Now, play without pain all night! Even if you have strong nails, get a set for emergencies (nail breaks, etc.) Note: one plays mbira with the flesh of the thumbs & finger, backed by the nail; so, without nails at least to the end of your thumbs and finger, many people get blisters where the thumb is pushed against the nail's edge. This is particularly true when starting to learn mbira, before you develop calluses.