Recycled Can Kalimbas from Burkina Faso

Recycling is a common practice across Africa, but not in the way we typically think. In Ougadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, West Africa, an artisan collective comprised mainly of young men recycles discarded tin sardine, coffee and tomato cans into small African musical instruments known widely as kalimbas.

Kalimbas, also called thumb pianos, are a modern derivative of the traditional African mbira. Consisting simply of a resonator body and flattened metal tines that generate a short harmonic scale, the kalimba's music initially sounds odd to unaccustomed ears. With a little practice, even the smallest of kalimbas can emit an oddly beautiful percussive melody.

Creating recycled products provides a double benefit for urban artisans. Not only do recycled materials lower the cost of supplies, but their inclusion in our product design also keeps clutter from Ougadougou's gutters. That's music to our ears!