adminArron Nyamayaro recently in Goromonzi
MBIRA legend, Ambuya Stella Chiweshe, told her family that she wanted traditional music be sung during her burial.
The late Ambuya Chiweshe’s youngest child, Virginia Mukwesha, told H-Metro on Saturday that it was her mother’s wish for traditional music to be played instead of church songs since she was not a church goer.
“My sister is the only one who is Christian. She is a Catholic, but my mother and I never put our faith in Christianity. We believe in spirit mediums, ancestors and we take traditional snuff for spiritual insight.
“We cannot ban mourners from singing church songs, but to be honest it was not my mother’s wish,” she said.
Mourners, including Christians, took their time dancing to Ambuya Chiweshe’s music at her homestead.
“She valued our culture, our tradition and managed to build this house from being guided by her ancestors. Technology is the way to go. The cameras fitted at the house helped us to watch over the house while we were in Germany.
“We trusted people who take care of it, but technology allows us to enjoy such privileges,” she said.
A number of artists that included Hope Masike, Chirikure Chirikure, Albert Nyathi and officials from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe were among the mourners.
Ambuya Chiweshe is expected to be buried at Jingo village under Chief Masembura.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter