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
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