Manicaland, Zimbabwe
Manyika

Wood, metal
Mid-Late 20th Century
Length: 8.25 in; Width: 6 in; Depth: 1 in
Idiophone – Lamellophones – Plucked

This wooden lamellophone is called the ‘mbira nyunga nyunga.’  It has 15 metal keys in two rows and a small silver metal plate attached to the bottom of the instrument. The metal plate has two flattened bottle caps on it, which are decorated with an eagle logo.  The alignment of the keys causes the pitches of the keys to radiate out from the center, rather than from left to right. The nyunga nyunga originated from Manicaland where it traditionally was used for entertainment during social gatherings and commemorations.  Manicaland is the second most populous province of the ten provinces in eastern Zimbabwe. The Manyika people, a Shona subgroup who speak the Shona dialect, are the largest ethnic group in this region.