The mbira dza vadzimu (voice of the ancestors) is a traditional instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. It consists of a wooden board with attached staggered metal tines, played by plucking the tines with the thumbs and the right forefinger. The mbira is often placed inside a large, hollowed-out gourd (deze) to amplify the sound and add a buzzing quality, traditionally achieved by attaching bottle caps or shells to the resonator. The music of the mbira is polyrhythmic and cyclical, often used in religious ceremonies (Bira) to contact the spirits of ancestors. In Shona culture, the mbira is not just an instrument but a tool for healing and spiritual connection. In the 20th century, Thomas Mapfumo adapted mbira rhythms for the electric guitar, creating 'Chimurenga' music, which played a major role in the country’s struggle for independence.