Likembe 1850 - 1900

This likembe, or thumb piano, was made by the Bateke people, and is an example of indigenous ingenuity using found materials. At its heart is a simple wooden box, which acts as a resonator. Metal strips, likely forged from repurposed materials, are carefully fixed to a bridge, ready to be plucked. Look closely, and you’ll see how the maker has ornamented the box with dozens of brass studs. This is more than decoration; it's a testament to resourcefulness. The likembe speaks volumes about the intersection of culture, creativity, and necessity. In its construction, we see a dialogue between tradition and adaptation, and how the Bateke people transformed ordinary materials into an instrument of extraordinary expression. The likembe encourages us to reconsider the boundaries between art, craft, and design, and highlights how all making is deeply embedded in social and cultural life.