A musical instrument of African origin, also known as the lamellaphone, likembe, sansa, mbira, thumb piano or finger harp. A traditional kalimba is made from a gourd and bamboo tines. The modern kalimba consists of a wooden soundboard with a number of metal tines attached to one end. Depressing and releasing (not plucking) each of the tines produces a distinct tone. It's probably closest to the xylophone in terms of sound, but it definitely has its own distinct sound.

The kalimba has been around in one form or another since at least 1586. Its introduction to Latin America by African slaves gave rise to the marimba.