The malimbe is a type of xylophone from the Congo[1] which is described as having both male and female counterparts; the former has 15 wooden bars, the latter has nine.[2] "Malimbe" also refers to a lamellaphone or mbira type instrument amongst the Nyamwezi of Tanzania.[3]
Warner Dietz, Betty and Olatunji, Michael Babatunde. (1965). Musical Instruments of Africa: Their Nature, Use, and Place in The Life of a Deeply Musical People. New York: John Day Company.