adminReginald Chirenje
Youth Interactive Writer
The mbira has a deep significance within the music tradition of the Shona people as it goes beyond pleasure and entertainment.
Mbira music is mystical which has been played for over a thousand years by the Shona ethnic group.
The Shona forms a vast majority of the population of Zimbabwe and extends into Mozambique.
Mbira pervades all aspects of Shona traditional culture, both sacred and secular. The mbira is becoming world famous as a result of tours by both traditional and non-traditional mbira players in Zimbabwe.
Under the Zimbabwe traditional culture, communities play the mbira to appease spirits that protect the people and the nation.
Traditional ceremonies also continue to this day, although not all Zimbabweans participate in them.
The vast of the majority of Shona mbira players have been men, today more women and girls have joined the field. Ian Ndodo known as “C3 Major” is a young man aged 23 pursuing the mbira music genre. The young gifted mbira player has been passionate about the traditional instrument from a tender age.
The mbira instrument consists of a basic cyclical pattern which includes numerous intertwined melodies, often with contrasting and syncopated rhythms.
C3 Major started playing mbira music as a profession in 2019. His first track was titled “Chindiriritira” which spoke to many people in a society.
“Mbira music says a lot to an African society. It is a complex and cyclical music, full of texture and overlapping rhythms.
When listening closely, it has the potential to be profoundly meditative music. It has an incredibly enchanting and majestic quality to it”, C3 Major said.
He has so far released an album titled “Ngoma Isinamuzera” and a single that have received positive response from the audience.
He is currently working on two albums named “Nzira dzichauya and “Dzimba dzehumambo” which he believes will speak and change lives of many.
“While the society and music are steeped in tradition, both are open and accepting to variation, newness and change. Mbira is one of the most traditional music that exist but it still relies heavily on variation and change.
The same holds true for the Shona society”, he added. C3 Major has been facing financial constraints in his journey but has never given up as he believes that, mourning will not change the outcome but rather a positive attitude changes everything.
“Cultural expression is the key to identity. Traditional mbira practice now faces a generational divide, exacerbated by cultural globalisation. With support, it is hoped that the form will evolve and contribute to a flourishing society”, C3 Major said.
Online Reporter