Chitungwiza’s teen Mbira genius

Takawira Photovet Dapi
CHITUNGWIZA has given birth to a new mbira genius in 13-year-old Batsirai Chiveza.

He is the second child of Priscilla Wadyehwata and Batsirai Chiveza and has become a hit at traditional gatherings known as biras.

“My name is Batsirai Chiveza, I am from Mayambara. After losing my mbira tutor, I started playing mbira songs last year in March after my grandfather, Joshua Wadyehwata, was jailed.

“He was a talented mbira player who inspired me and I inherited his dreadlocks trademark at around four-years-old. My sister, Charity Chiveza, the first born in our family, is the one who started doing music, especially house, and I followed suit,” he said.

Batsirai said he further honed his skills under one, Elder Banda, following the incarceration of his uncle.

“My sister took me to elder Banda for mbira playing lessons because I always wanted her music to incorporate mbira sounds when I was growing up.

“So, when my grandfather died in prison, I automatically decided to take over. I mastered mbira playing when I was less than nine years old,” he said.

Batsirai told H-Metro he has been impressed by his personal growth as an artist and culture advocate.

“My mind is that of either a 20-or-30 year-old because of what I have gone through like playing mbira at many traditional gatherings and evoking great spirits.

“One of the spirit mediums got into a trance and foretold my bright future. I’m now able to understand the disadvantages of taking drugs, not listening to elders, alcohol abuse and bunking lessons,” he said.

Batsirai said he has learnt a lot through performing at traditional shows. His tutor, James Tsindi, who is the founder of Nehomba Rusike Mbira Group, said he has been impressed the youngster’s progress.

“This child, Batsirai Chiveza, came to my home with his sister Charity Chiveza asking me to teach him how to play mbira. But the one who wanted to be taught first was Charity, but they asked me to teach Batsirai instead.

“I taught this child at my work place. On his first day, he mastered one song, then two songs on the second day, then four songs after five days.

“Later, I would warn him that he was going to leave for home after 6pm, if he failed to master the songs I had assigned him to do.“He mastered all Zimbabwean traditional songs last year.

“I finally asked his parents to allow me to take him in the Nehomba Rusike Mbira Group because he is very creative and he is a slave to sound listening,” he said.