The Sansa is a plucked instrument consisting of a number of metal or split cane tongues over a wood board or box resonator. The tongues are held in position by a lateral bar, with one end of each tongue free to be plucked.
Plucking is usually with thumbs, which has led some people to call this instrument a "thumb piano."
Although occasionally found elsewhere, the sansa is primarily an African instrument.

Playing method:
The Kalimba or Sansa is usually held in the hands or rested on the lap, and the player uses his thumbs or forefingers to pluck the tongues. The pitch of a tongue is determined by its length which can easily be altered by sliding the tongue back and forward under the lateral bar.