Deze which a local person has used for 30 years. A thing of such vintage becomes very precious in Zimbabwe. Here you can see cracks that have been carefully repaired.

The state that drying ended in. The upper part is cut carefully by a saw after this.
Deze made by glass fiber.

Mbira is usually put in a big gourd (like the upper photograph) when it is played. The gourd, often referred to as "Deze," or sometimes "Carabash," plays the role of an amplifier. This item is indispensable for an mbira performance. A Deze made naturally is precious. Because it cannot be harvested very often, the gourd is highly valued. After being picked, the contents are picked out and it is dried. Afterwards, bottle caps are usually attached around the opening to produce a rhythmic buzzing sound. Because Deze is a natural product and can be easily broken, a Zimbabwean often repairs the cracks and continues using it.

There is also an imitation Deze made with fiber glass because natural Dezes are so precious. It is hard to be broken and so people do not make much effort to take care of them.

　

To Mature　To Hosho, songs

　

　

　

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