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Valiant Kandororo
MBIRA music has played an important part in the country’s cultural history, including the protracted struggle against colonialism.
While it continues to shape social discourse in the everyday lives of Zimbabweans, mbira music’s contribution towards the attainment of independence cannot be overemphasised.
The popularity of the mbira (finger harp) in the fight against oppression is rooted in its use during spiritual communication rites between liberation war fighters and spirit mediums.
Colonial settlers associated the use of mbira music in traditional ceremonies with evil spirits, mainly as a result of failure to appreciate the local culture.
Apart from use in cultural rites, the likes of Chimurenga music guru Thomas Mapfumo popularised the instrument by bringing it into the studio accompanied by musical instruments such as electric guitars and drum kits to inspire the freedom fighters through song.
Mapfumo’s musical arrangements included numerous songs directly drawn from traditional mbira repertoire.
The popularity of mbira as an instrument saw it being taken outside Zimbabwe to as far as Europe, where music lovers marvelled at its sound.
Other notable influencers who pioneered taking mbira music out of Zimbabwe include Dumisani Maraire and Ephat Mujuru.
While the music has been commercialised, its inspirational use in the war of liberation is undoubted.
It is now the eve of 40 years since Zimbabwe gained its independence and both adults and youths are still enjoying the allure of mbira music.
More could be done though to further increase the appeal and appreciation of the instrument.
In the spirit of keeping mbira music alive and invoking its important role in Zimbabwe, Dzepamvura Mbira Arts Centre in Norton has embarked on a drive to demystify the cultural myths associated with the instrument through “edutainment”.
The centre is striving to revive mbira musical culture, which is peculiar to Zimbabwe.
Having forged a sound partnership with Government, local traditional leaders, the academia, youths and other aid partners, the centre has since donated 110 mbira instruments to primary schools in Norton at a function attended by Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry.
At the opening of the Norton road-over-rail bridge, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, after receiving a token of appreciation in the form of a mbira embedded with his Shumba Murambwi totem, emphasised the need to have an annual national mbira musical event.
In furtherance of this noble cause, Dzepamvura Mbira Arts Centre has lined a number of activities, beginning with a Provincial Mbira Festival slated for March 27, 2020 at Ngoni Stadium in Norton.
The event has a plethora of activities, including musical workshops, exhibitions, mbira making and playing tutorial, as well as lectures on cultural norms and values attached to the native instrument.
Mbira groups such as the original Mbira DzeNharira are set to perform at the festival alongside upcoming mbira groups and schools.
Besides rejuvenating the spirit of “Ubuntu” among the youth, some of whom now shun cultural practices, the festival aims at promoting domestic tourism and create employment.
Traditional leaders, led by Senator Chief Ngezi, are expected to grace the event, as well as Government officials and legislators.
The festival will also be biased towards educating attendees on the importance of preserving the mubvamaropa tree — used as the sound board (gwariva rembira) — and the calabash (deze), which are going extinct.
Valiant Kandororo is the director of Dzepamvura Mbira Arts Centre
Write to [email protected], WhatsApp 0771415747 Write to [email protected], WhatsApp 0771415747
The programme is leaving no youth behind as it moulds tomorrow’s leaders and build a foundation for preserving our culture, which is under threat from exotic infiltration.
Valiant Kandororo is the director of Dzepamvura Mbira Arts Centre
Online Reporter