Lamellophone Collection

I began collecting these wonderful instruments quite a few years ago; inspired by a performance I produced by Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited http://www.thomas-mapfumo.com A lamellophone (also lamellaphone or linguaphone, from the Latin for "tongue", i.e., a long thin plate that is fixed only at one end) is any of a family of musical instruments. The name comes from the Latin root "lamella" for "plate" and the Greek root "phone" for "sound". The name derives from the way the sound is produced: the instrument has a series of thin plates, or "tongues", each of which is fixed at one end and has the other end free. When the musician depresses the free end of a plate with a finger or fingernail, and then allows the finger to slip off, the released plate vibrates. A tongue may be plucked either from above or below. Please, if you know more about these instruments or see mistakes in identifying them feel free to contact me. This is a work in progress. I am making updates fairly often. A big THANKS to those that have already offered info. Very special thanks to Solomon Murungu http://www.zambuko.com/ and Tim Anderson https://utonga.com/ Most instruments are for sale.

1- 01, Karimba, Mozambique–Zimbabwe border, possibly Tete or Báruè province in Moz.

2 - 01a, 1- 01, Karimba, Mozambique–Zimbabwe border, possibly Tete or Báruè province in Moz.

3 - 01b, 1- 01, Karimba, Mozambique–Zimbabwe border, possibly Tete or Báruè province in Moz.

4 - 01c, 1- 01, Karimba, Mozambique–Zimbabwe border, possibly Tete or Báruè province in Moz.

5 - 02, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

6 - 02a, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona (note: golf spikes)

7 - 02b, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

8 - 03, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

9 - 03b, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

10 - 03c, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

12 - 03e, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

15- 04a, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

17 - 04c, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

20 - 05a, Mbira, Zimbabwe, Shona

21 - 05b,Mbira, Zimbabwe, Shona

22 - 05c, Mbira, Zimbabwe, Shona (back)

23 - 05d, Mbira, Zimbabwe, Shona

24 - 05e, Mbira, Zimbabwe, Shona

27 - 06a, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

32 - 06f, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona (Maxwell Chinhembe)

35 - 07, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

38 - 07b, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

39 - 07c, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

40 - 08, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

40 -08a, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

42 - 01, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

42 - 01a, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

44 - 01b, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona (carved for microphones)

45 - 01, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

45 - 01a, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

49 - 01b, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

50 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

54 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

55 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

46 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona (Note: brass keys)

56 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

57 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

58 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

59 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

60 - 010, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona - Keys cut to spell "Play Mbira" in Shona

61 - 010a, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

62 - 010b, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

63 - 010c, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona - Keys cut to spell "Play Mbira" in Shona

64 - 010d, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona - Keys cut to spell "Play Mbira" in Shona

65 - 011, Karimba, Zimbzbwe, Shona, (signed by Ephat Mujuru)

67 - 011b, Karimba, Zimbzbwe, Shona, (signed by Ephat Mujuru)

68 - 011c, Karimba, Zimbzbwe, Shona, (signed by Ephat Mujuru)

69 - 012, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona, made by Samson Bvure

70 - 012a, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona, made by Samson Bvure

71 - 012b, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona, made by Samson Bvure

72 - 013, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona (signed by Ephat Mujuru) probably made by his brother Fradreck Mujuru

74 - 013b, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona (signed by Ephat Mujuru) probably made by his brother Fradreck Mujuru

75 - 013c, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona (signed by Ephat Mujuru) probably made by his brother Fradreck Mujuru

76 - 014, Karimba, Zimbzbwe, Shona, made by Samson Bvure

77 - 014a, Karimba, Zimbzbwe, Shona, made by Samson Bvure

78 - 014b, Karimba, Zimbzbwe, Shona, made by Samson Bvure

79 - 014c, Karimba, Zimbzbwe, Shona, made by Samson Bvure

80 - 015, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona, made by Samson Bvure

81 - 015a, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona, made by Samson Bvure

82 - 016, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

83 - 016a, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

84 - 016b, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

85 - 016c, Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

122 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

123 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

124 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

125 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

126 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

128 - Mbira dza Vadzimu, Zimbabwe, Shona

86 - Zimbabwe

87 - Zimbabwe

88 - Zimbabwe

89 - Zimbabwe

91 - Zimbabwe

92 - Zimbabwe

93 - Nyonganyonga, Zimbabwe, Sena/Barwe

94 - Nyonganyonga, Zimbabwe, Sena/Barwe

95 - Nyonganyonga, Zimbabwe, Sena/Barwe

96- Nyonganyonga, Zimbabwe, Sena/Barwe

97- Nyonganyonga, Zimbabwe, Sena/Barwe

98 - Nyonganyonga, Zimbabwe, Sena/Barwe

99 - Nyonganyonga, Zimbabwe, Sena/Barwe

101 - Zimbabwe, Shona

102 - Zimbabwe

103 - Zimbabwe

104 - Zimbabwe

105 - Zimbabwe

106 - Zimbabwe

107 - Zimbabwe

108 - Zimbabwe

109 - Zimbabwe

110 - Zimbabwe

111 - Matepe or Njari, Zimbabwe, Shona people

112 - Matepe or Njari, Zimbabwe, Shona people

113 - Matepe or Njari, Zimbabwe, Shona people

114 - Matepe or Njari, Zimbabwe, Shona people

115 - Matepe or Njari, Zimbabwe, Shona people

116 - Matepe or Njari, Zimbabwe, Shona

117 - Matepe or Njari, Zimbabwe, Shona people

118 -

119 -

120 -

121 -

130 - Cameroon, Vute or Thar people

131 - Cameroon, Vute or Thar people

133 - Cameroon, Vute or Thar people

134 - Cameroon, Vute people

136 - Cameroon, Vute people

137 - Cameroon, Vute people

138 - Sanza, Tanzania

139 - Sanza, Tanzania

140 - Sanza, Tanzania

141 - Sanza, Tanzania

142 - Republic of Senegal or Sierra Leone

143 - Republic of Senegal or Sierra Leone

144 - Republic of Senegal or Sierra Leone

145 - Republic of Senegal or Sierra Leone

146 - Republic of Senegal or Sierra Leone

147 - Sanza, Tanzania

148 - Sanza, Tanzania

149 - Sanza, Tanzania

150 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

151 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

152 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

153 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

154 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

155 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

156 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

158 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

160 - Sanza, Tanzania, Zaramo People

161 - Sanza, Tanzania, Zaramo People

163 - Sanza, Tanzania, Zaramo People

165 - Sanza, Tanzania

166 - Sanza, Tanzania

167 - Sanza, Tanzania

168 - Sanza, Tanzania

169- Sanza, Tanzania

170 - Sanza, Tanzania

171- Sanza, D.R. Congo

172 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

173 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

177 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

178 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

180 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

181 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

182 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

183 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

184 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

185 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

186 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

187 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

188 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

189 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

190 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

191 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

192- Sanza, D.R. Congo

194 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

195 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

196 -

197 -

198 -

199 -

200 -

201 -

203 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

204 -Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

205 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

206 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

208 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

209 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

210 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

212 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

215 - ? -

216 -

217 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

218 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

219 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

220 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

221 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

222- Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

223 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

225 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

226 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

227 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

228 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

229 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

230 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

231 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

232 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

235 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

237 - Sanza, Chokwe People, D.R.Congo

238 - Sanza, Chokwe People, D.R.Congo

239 - Sanza, Chokwe People, D.R.Congo

240 - Sanza, Chokwe People, D.R.Congo

241 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

242 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

243 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

244 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

245 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

246 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

247 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

248 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

249 - Kankobela, Batonga People, South Zambia, North Zimbabwe

250 -

251 -

252 -

253 -

254 -

255 -

256 -

257 -

258 -

259 -

260 -

261 -

262 - D.R. Congo, Chokwe People

263 - D.R. Congo, Chokwe People

264 - D.R. Congo, Chokwe People

265 - D.R. Congo, Chokwe People

266 - Cameroon

267 - Cameroon

268 - Cameroon

269 - Cameroon

272 - Cameroon

273 - Tanzania

274 - Tanzania

275 - Tanzania

276 -

278 -

279 -

280 -

282 -

283 -

284 -

285 -

286 -

287 -

288 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

289 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

290 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

291 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

292 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

293 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

295 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

297 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

298 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

299 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

300 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

301 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

302 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

303 -

304 -

305 -

306 -

307 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

308 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

309 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

310 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

311 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

312 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

316 -

317 -

318 -

319 -

320 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

321 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

322 - Sanza, D.R. Congo

333 - Cameroon, Tikar people

334 - Cameroon, Tikar people

335 -Cameroon, Tikar people

336 - Cameroon, Tikar people (gift from Sally Nyolo)

337 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

338 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

341 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

342 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

343 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

344 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

345 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

346 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

347 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

348 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

349 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

350 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

351 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

352 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

353 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

356 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

357 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

358 - Cameroon, Bamoun people

361 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

362 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

363 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

364 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

365 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

366 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

367 -

368 -

369 -

370 -

371 -

372 - Cameroon, Vute people

373 - Cameroon, Vute people

374 - Cameroon, Vute people

375 - Cameroon, Vute people

376 -

378 -

379 -

380 -

381 -

382 -

383 -

384 -

385 -

386 -

387 -

388 -

389 -

390 -

391 -

392 -

393 -

394 -

395 -

396 -

399 -

400 -

401 -

402 - Sanza, Tanzania, Zaramo People

403 - Sanza, Tanzania, Zaramo People

404 - Sanza, Tanzania, Zaramo People

405 - Sanza, Tanzania, Zaramo People

407 - Sanza, Tanzania, Zaramo People

408 - Sanza, Tanzania, Zaramo People

409 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

410 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

411 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

412 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

413 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

414 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

416 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

417 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

418 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

419 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

410 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

411 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

412 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

413 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

414 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

415 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

416 - Limba, Tanzania, Wagago people

417 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

418 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

419 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

420 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

422 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

423 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

424 -Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

425 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

426 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

427 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

428 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

429 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

430 - Sanza, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Fang People

431 - Sanza, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Fang People

432 - Sanza, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Fang People

434 - Sanza, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Fang People

435 -Sanza, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Fang People

436 - Sanza, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Fang People

437 - Sanza, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Fang People

438 - Sanza, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Fang People

439 -

440 -

442 -

443 -

446 -

447 -

448 -

449 -

450 -

458 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

459 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People

460 - Sanza, D.R. Congo, Tabwa/Luba People