Hokema was founded in Germany with a passion for creating instruments that are both beautifully made and genuinely accessible — instruments that invite people to make music regardless of their experience or background. The kalimba, also known as a thumb piano or mbira, is one of the world's oldest and most widely played instruments, originating in Africa and found in various forms across many cultures. Hokema's instruments bring this ancient tradition into a contemporary context with German precision and craftsmanship.

The Sansula is Hokema's most celebrated creation — a kalimba mounted on a resonator frame with a membrane head, similar in concept to a small drum. The membrane amplifies and colours the sound of the tines, producing a warm, shimmering tone with a natural reverb-like quality. The most distinctive feature of the Sansula is its ability to change pitch and resonance dynamically: by pressing the frame against a hard surface or cupping it in the hands, the player can create a beautiful wah-wah effect that gives the instrument an almost vocal, expressive quality. This makes the Sansula particularly popular in sound therapy, meditation and mindfulness contexts, as well as among musicians who want an unusual and evocative instrument.

The Twin Kalimba offers a different kind of versatility — with tines on both faces of the instrument, players can access two different tunings or registers without switching instruments, making it a practical choice for more adventurous players.

At Into Music Store, we stock Hokema instruments alongside our broader percussion and world music range. Visit our showroom in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, or shop online with free UK shipping on orders over £175.