Meet Our Trusted Mbira Makers
Check out the videos below to see and hear mbira dzavadzimu by each of our trusted mbira makers - many of them offer other types of mbira too, including mbira nyunga nyunga, matepe and njari.
Once you’ve chosen your favourite mbira maker, get their contact info, typical prices, instrument photos, further buying advice (and LOADS more) inside your FREE Mbira Essentials Pack.
Remember that buying direct cuts out the middle man, reduces your costs, and empowers mbira makers to manage their own businesses.
Jona Wazara 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
I use Jona’s instruments in my FREE ’Learn to Play Mbira’ video series.
His signature style has become a symbol of quality and consistency.
Sebastian Pott 🇩🇪 Germany
Preferred mbira maker of Chartwell Dutiro. Sebastian produces top-of-the-range instruments with impeccable attention to detail. His knowledge of the subject is vast.
Check out my interview with Chartwell where he talks about meeting and working with Sebastian. Our conversation ends with the two of them performing mbira together.
Rodrigo Laje 🇦🇷 Argentina
Beautiful instruments crafted with deep respect for Shona culture. Having studied with a variety of Zimbabwean mbira makers, Rodrigo is able to offer a range of construction approaches (hot/cold forging, Argentinian tone-woods, overtones, etc..).
Watch him at work in this video and listen to different mbira tunings on Rodrigo’s SoundCloud page.
Gift Chigede 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Preferred maker of master mbira player, Forward Kwenda. Stunning instruments to see, hold and hear.
Gift offers a selection of tunings.
Notice the low note 2 on the D Nyamaropa mbira in Forward’s tadzungaira video (2nd lowest key). This ‘extra note’ is popular on Mavembe/Gandanga instruments, but less common on Nyamaropa tuned instruments.