What to read after Kalimba. 31 Easy-to-Play African Songs?

The kalimba or mbira is a traditional and typical African instrument. It consists of metal keys attached by a wooden support structure. Normally, the African mbira has 4-20 keys, but there also exist mbiras with 45 keys. One of the ethnic groups of people of Zimbabwe, the Rosvi, are called "Mbira people".

Any folk song presupposes dance, but in Africa, dance is impossible to separate from a song. Music and dance accompany African birth, growing up, initiation, marriage, the birth of children, death, as well as most social activity, such as hunting, planting and gathering.

Music is often associated in Africa with magic. As the African proverb says: "the spirit cannot ascend to heaven without a song".

This educational book will help you begin to play music simply and easily. If you are a beginner, playing by notes can be difficult. It is easier to play the finger piano by following numbers. Learn how to play music in a quick and easy way, without knowledge of reading sheet music. Our sheet music is universal and suitable for any 8-, 10- or 17- note kalimbas and mbiras.

Follow the numbers and begin to play!

Some melodies might have been changed and simplified to be played in the diatonic range. If your thumb piano has flat keys, it is recommended that you use classic sheet music for the piano. Also, we added a QR code to all songs. You can follow the link and listen to the rhythm before beginning to play.

List of 31 African songs for kalimba:

Achta ta ta ta ta. Song from Morocco

Askari Eee. Song from Tanzania

Atadwe. Song from Ghana

Banaha. Song from Congo

Banuwa. Song from Liberia

Bebe Moke. Song from Congo

Before Dinner. Song from Congo

Che Che Koolay. Song from Ghana

Coco Laye-Laye. Song from Congo

Do Do Ki Do. Song from Cameroon

Eh Soom Boo Kawaya. Song from Nigeria

Funga Alafia. Song from Ghana

Kanzenzenze. Song from Congo

Kotiko. Song from Congo

L'abe igi orombo. Song from Nigeria

Manamolela. Song from South Africa

Mayo Nafwa. Song from Zambia

Obwisana. Song from Ghana

Plouf Tizen Tizen. Song from Algeria

Sansa Kroma. Song from Ghana

Sélinguenia. Song from Kenya

Shosholoza. Song from South Africa

Sindi. Song from Burkina Faso

Siyahamba. Song from South Africa

Siyanibingelela. Song from South Africa

Stick Passing Song. Song from Uganda

Umele. Song from South Africa

Wa Wa Wa. Song from Congo

Welcome Song. Song from Uganda

Zimbole. Song from South Africa

Zomina. Song from Togo