Lamellaphones

Hand-held musical instruments native to sub-Saharan Africa whose sound is produced by the vibration of thin tongues of metal or wood plucked by the thumbs. The tongues are attached to a rectangular wooden or metal resonator. Some feature small strips of metal twisted around the tongues, in order to add a buzzing or humming sound to the tone.

Among the best known lamellaphones are the sanza (sansa), mbira, likembe, and kalimba (thumb pianos).