KALIMBA or  MBIRA

  The Kalimba or Mbira is one of the truly unique contributions of Africa to the world of music. These melodic percussion instruments are part of many different cultures all across the continent and are used for many different purposes, from pure entertainment to deeply spiritual ceremonies.
  A deceptively simple instrument, the Kalimba makes it's distinctive tones when the metal reeds or keys are depressed and released. Being set across the bridge at different lengths, the keys vibrate at different frequencies, producing the scale, that then vibrates through the entire box to amplify the music.
  The Kalimba shares with the resonated African Balaphon or Marimba, a tone that is built up from the percussive attack and the hollow wooden sustain. It creates a haunting sound that evokes rainforest clearings and village storytellers. This sound cannot be reproduced with western instruments.
  There is an old saying in Africa that the mbira teaches it's owner the songs,  not the other way around!