Online Reporter
Trust Khosa,
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Zimbabwe’s ritualistic play, “Song Unburied”, will make its debut at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, where it will run for 12 days.
Dubbed the “Mecca of Arts,” the cultural event—approximately 50 times bigger than the Harare International Festival of the Arts—will feature Zimbabwe’s popular production from August 5 to 16.
This will be the first time a Zimbabwean play has been staged at the festival since 2017, when Daves Guzha showcased Lamentations.
To date, “Song Unburied” has been performed at Madsoc Theatre in Lilongwe, Malawi, as well as in South Africa, the French-speaking Comoros and Barbados.
Written by Dr Panashe Chigumadzi and directed by Daves Guzha, the play calls for the return of anti-colonial heroine Mbuya Nehanda’s remains from an overseas gallery. It is performed by Dalma Chiwereva, Charmaine Mujeri, Tinevimbo Chimbetete, and mbira player Abel Mafuleni.
In an interview, Guzha expressed excitement at the opportunity, saying they will represent Zimbabwe at the event.
“Edinburgh Festival is considered the Mecca of the arts, and being invited there is an honour for us as theatre practitioners.
If my memory serves me well, a Zimbabwean play was last staged there in 2017. The play was called Lamentations, and it did very well. Since then, we have not had a play performed until now. We are departing Zimbabwe on Sunday, and we will be there for 14 days.”
Guzha, who works with a dedicated team, said he is proud to be part of a global theatre showcase.
“Edinburgh Festival is a big platform where we will showcase a play that remains relevant at this point in time, when the UN has revisited the issue of reparations and slavery. It is a topical issue we want to address at this big platform.”
He added that the appeal of “Song Unburied”, has been inspiring, noting that it has captured the attention of global theatre audiences.
“Theatre is now picking up, and it has always been our wish to ensure that more productions are shown regularly. At least, we must have two productions showcased per month, which is my wish. We will get there with time, but it is picking up.” In the play, Mujeri plays Rambisai Mangosho, the first black curator at the British Museum.
Her colleague, Chiwereva, demonstrates her versatility through three roles: Mbuya, Mai Rambi, and Tsitsi.
The play “Song Unburied” calls for the return of Mbuya Nehanda’s remains, a subject that has reopened old wounds about her unburied bones.
In African culture, it is believed that the dead will not rest until they receive a dignified burial followed by a traditional ceremony.
The play presents Mbuya Nehanda among several icons whose remains were taken to Europe as trophies of conquest, addressing the subject through this ritualistic production.
Mbuya Nehanda is also believed to have told her killers that her remains would rise.
Locally, the play was performed at Theatre in the Park in Harare, attracting the attention of government officials, researchers, and fellow artists.
