Gourd kalimba thumb piano, \'Estrela\'

An estrela (\"star\") illuminates the face of this elegant kalimba. Handcrafted by Tuca, her preference for natural materials emerges clearly from the design, as she uses the gourd of the caba�a fruit for the body and completes the piece with a sturdy strap of woven sisal fiber. The kalimba, or thumb piano, originates in Africa, where each tribe employs a distinctive style with variations in appearance, size, materials, and tuning. Brought to Brazil by slaves during the colonial period, the instrument usually consists of anywhere from 4 to 20 iron keys. The sound of the kalimba is rich and intimate, combining well with violins, flutes, and a wide range of handheld percussion instruments. Suitable for simple melodies, it may also form intricate harmonies, although it remains an easy instrument for beginners to learn.