Kalimba. 31 Easy-to-Play African Songs: SongBook for Beginners

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 e-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. My 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 the classic sheet music for piano.Also, I 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:

1. Achta ta ta ta ta. Song from Morocco
2. Askari Eee. Song from Tanzania
3. Atadwe. Song from Ghana
4. Banaha. Song from Congo
5. Banuwa. Song from Liberia
6. Bebe Moke. Song from Congo
7. Before Dinner. Song from Congo
8. Che Che Koolay. Song from Ghana
9. Coco Laye-Laye. Song from Congo
10. Do Do Ki Do. Song from Cameroon
11. Eh Soom Boo Kawaya. Song from Nigeria
12. Funga Alafia. Song from Ghana
13. Kanzenzenze. Song from Congo
14. Kotiko. Song from Congo
15. L’abe igi orombo. Song from Nigeria
16. Manamolela. Song from South Africa
17. Mayo Nafwa. Song from Zambia
18. Obwisana. Song from Ghana
19. Plouf Tizen Tizen. Song from Algeria
20. Sansa Kroma. Song from Ghana
21. Sélinguenia. Song from Kenya
22. Shosholoza. Song from South Africa
23. Sindi. Song from Burkina Faso
24. Siyahamba. Song from South Africa
25. Siyanibingelela. Song from South Africa
26. Stick Passing Song. Song from Uganda
27. Umele. Song from South Africa
28. Wa Wa Wa. Song from Congo
29. Welcome Song. Song from Uganda
30. Zimbole. Song from South Africa
31. Zomina. Song from Togo