While many modern kalimbas are built into flat wooden boxes, the traditional Mbira (the ancestor of the kalimba) is often placed inside a 'deze.' A deze is a large, hollowed-out, and dried calabash gourd. The gourd acts as a natural acoustic amplifier, projecting the quiet sound of the metal tines so it can be heard during communal ceremonies. To add a layer of texture, traditional players often attach small objects to the rim of the deze, such as snail shells, coins, or bottle caps. These objects rattle and buzz when the mbira is played, creating a 'shimmering' wall of sound. This buzzing is not considered noise by the Shona people; rather, it is an essential part of the music's spiritual power, believed to help attract the attention of ancestral spirits. The use of natural materials like the calabash shows the deep connection between the instrument and the surrounding environment.