Kalimba
/kəˈlɪm.bə/noun
A musical instrument with metal tines plucked by the thumbs, also called a thumb piano.
Did you know?Kalimba is a modern international term, popularized in the 20th century, and is often used broadly for thumb pianos whose older names vary widely across African languages and regions.
Etymological Timeline
20th Century
English
kalimba
“A modern borrowed name for a thumb piano.”
19th-20th Century
Bantu languages
kalimba / related local names
“Names for thumb pianos or similar plucked idiophones in various African languages.”
19th Century
Portuguese/European transcription
kalimba
“A romanized form used by outsiders to label African musical instruments.”
Earlier traditional usage
African languages
local instrument names
“Indigenous names for thumb pianos and related lamellophones.”