the "mbira dzavadzimu" or "mbira
             of the ancestors." It is most often used at religious events called "bira" (plural "mapira") where its
             playing enables a spirit medium to go into a trance, and thereby establish communication between
             the living and the deceased. While it can be played alone for entertainment, when it is played at
             religious ceremonies, it is always played with two or three other mbiras and a gourd rattle called a
             "hosho." The ancestors are believed to serve as mediators between humans and God (Mwari).
             The ancestors can be helpful (or harmful) in events of everyday life, and must be treated well.
             Other spirit beings more powerful than the ancestors emerge from Mwari himself - their help is
             Other traditional instruments include the marimba (a xylophone), the nyanga or horn, the
             chipendani or one-string fiddle, the madare or ankle bells, and the ngoma or drums. All have
             important uses in traditional music, and have also become commonplace in popular urban music.
             With the revival of interest in traditional music and tradit
             ...