malvernmugadzikwa
Dennis Chimanzi
SEASONED mbira musician Wilfred Tichaona Mafrika is not a happy man.
The founder and leader of Mawungira eNharira believes mbira music has in recent years been “corrupted” by the younger generation, which he claims has made it lose its lustre and identity.
Nyamasvisva, as he is known by his legion of fans, said it was disheartening and unamusing that some artistes were masquerading as mbira musicians.
“Traditionally, in mbira music, we do not recognise the use of guitars and keyboards. The moment you add those instruments, it immediately ceases to be mbira music.
“The only other instruments that can be added when playing mbira music are drums and hosho (gourds),” the 64-year-old singer and composer told The Sunday Mail Entertainment.
Nyamasvisva opines there is need for the authorities to come up with strategies to promote the mbira instrument and genre.
One way, he said, would be through providing opportunities for “bona fide” mbira groups to take part in regional and international festivals.
He reckons “organic” mbira players are not getting proper platforms to showcase Zimbabwean culture through the unique and powerful instrument.
Her said such opportunities are being given to contemporary music ensembles.
Mawungira eNharira remains active though the number of their gigs has significantly dropped.
This is in sharp contrast to the time just after the turn of the new millennium when mbira music was the in-thing.
Back then, Nyamasvisva and Tendai “Samaita” Gahamadze led the revered group Mbira dzeNharira, which they co-founded.
Their compositions, among them “Saramugomo”, “Madhunamutuna” and “Tatadzeiko?” became more like national anthems.
Both Mawungira eNharira and Mbira dzeNharira have in the past toured the world, taking the mbira instrument to countries like Germany, Sweden, China and the United States.
Similarly, the groups have scooped numerous accolades, among them the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) and Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zima).
“The likes of Jah Prayzah, Andy Muridzo and Diana Samkange play the mbira instrument but they are not mbira musicians. I think this is what people need to understand,” said Nyamasvisva.
“I have no problem with them fusing instruments, but they should not classify themselves as mbira musicians. I think their type of music falls under Afro-fusion,” he said.
Mbira is among a family of instruments that are peculiar to Zimbabwe, particularly the Shona people.
The instrument was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.
The Mawungira eNharira frontman blamed the current predicament on globalisation, which has led to the emergence of new cultures.
He singled out the manjuzu craze.
“This younger generation is being deceived by things like manjuzu (marine spirits). That is foreign culture, which is leading them astray. I think, as elders, we should take it upon ourselves to teach them right from wrong,” he said.
“I think I should consider opening a school of mbira in the near future.”
Manjuzu is a fairly new culture that is spreading like veld fire.
It involves rituals done mostly at water bodies.
Nyamasvisva said the manjuzu culture, which many singers are associated with, has had an adverse effect on mbira music.
He linked the practice to Satanism.
“I have been in the music industry for over two decades and have never come across anything called manjuzu until recently. It is unfortunate that most of our young musicians are linked to the culture (manjuzu), which is compromising mbira music,” added Nyamasvisva.
“Upcoming musicians should learn from veterans like Tendai ‘Samaita’ Gahamadze. He is a genuine and straightforward mbira musician. But these guys are going to seas and getting items like bangles and various other ornaments from the underworld (marine world); hachisi chivanhu ichocho (that is not our culture).”
Nyamasvisva and Samaita worked together before splitting over a decade ago.
Samaita still leads Mbira dzeNharira.
“A genuine mbira artiste gets a calling from the ancestors. I got a calling and even my friend Gahamadze did. We are culturally and not commercially driven, hence we follow proper tradition.
“A real mbira artiste cannot wear ripped jeans on stage. We are obliged to wear our own traditional designs or anything decent. Also, the white clothes they often wear on stage are associated with the manjuzu culture.”
In a separate interview with this publication, Gahamadze agreed with his counterpart.
“Mbira music appears to have lost its lustre. It is playing second fiddle to other genres. This is largely due to the fact that the younger generation is failing to preserve the genre. They claim to be playing traditional music but Western influence is heavily present in their work,” said the Mbira dzeNharira leader.
He also suggested a school for orientation.
“We need schools dedicated to mbira music if we are to salvage the situation. Our national radio stations are also not promoting our work. I called one of the stations and they demanded money for them to play my music, which is unfair,” he said.
Samaita shared his sentiments on the manjuzu craze.
“During the liberation struggle, mbira was censored by the Rhodesian government because it was perceived to be connected with the spirit mediums. Mbira played a crucial role in liberating our country.
“We have some singers who claim to be mbira musicians, yet they know nothing about our spirit mediums.
“The new generation of manjuzu are fake. They claim to be traditional, yet they will, in fact, be doing things that are against our tradition. For instance, back in the day, bute (snuff) was taken by people who were possessed by spirit mediums.”
Samaita notes mbira music is still respected across borders because of its originality.
“We need an identity as a country. Let us promote those who are playing mbira music so that they represent us well.”
Meanwhile, Nyamasvisva is set to release his seventh studio album, “Bvunza Mutupo”, in August.
The work was supposed to have been released last year but was postponed due to lack of funds.
“Bvunza Mutupo”, which is the title track; “Chakanaka Chakanaka”; “Kumatongo”; “Roparemunhu”; “Sekuru Josiah”; and “Muroora” are part of the songs on the new album.
Online Reporter