different between mbira vs mbila

English

Etymology

From Shona mbira (“thumb piano”).

Noun

mbira (plural mbiras)

1. (music) A thumb piano, a musical instrument having a small sound box fitted with a row of tuned tabs that are plucked with the thumbs, originating among the Shona of southern Africa; any type of plucked lamellophone of the same type as the Shona instrument.

Synonyms

• sanza
• thumb piano or finger piano

Hyponyms

• kalimba
• likembe
• marimba

Derived terms

• array mbira

References

• 2003. "Mbira (Thumb Piano)". Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Edited by John Shepherd. Pg. 388.

Anagrams

• MBARI, abrim, imbar, mbari

Chichewa

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??bí.?a/

Noun

mbíra 9 (plural mbíra 10)

1. rock hyrax

Lindu

Noun

mbira

1. part; section

Shona

Noun

mbíra 9 (plural mbíra 10)

1. rock hyrax

Noun

mbira 9 (plural mbira 10)

1. thumb piano; mbira

English

Noun

mbila (plural mbilas)

1. (music) In Southern Africa, an instrument similar to the xylophone, played by striking the bars with mallets.
2. (music) mbira

Anagrams

• limba, milab