adminEntertainment Correspondent
IN a bid to restore the lost cultural identity, a talented budding artiste, Struggle Dhlamini, has released an album that carries recitations of most totems. Dhlamini, whose stage name is Chiremba Hwesa Masango, recites totems that include Hwesa, Moyo, Mhofu, Tembo, Soko, Nzou, Gumbo, Hungwe, Simboti, Gwai, Nungu, Save, Bhebhe, Bonga, Humba and Nyati.
He beautifully recites totems and fuses them with an assortment of traditional and modern instruments such as mbira, marimba, hosho, chipendani and zvikeya.
The 10-member group consists of six instrumentalists and three dancers.
The distinct sound that comes out of all songs makes the album unique and special in its own way.
In this work of art, the singer has a chorus for each totem.
The album, which was released last week, was accompanied by a DVD album, Live on Stage. Immaculately dressed dancers spice up the stage performances on the colourful DVD.
In an interview, the 36-year-old musician said he wrote a book titled Mitupo yedzimbahwe where he recites all 63 poems in full.
“I am happy to have released an album like this which aims to remind people – both school children and adults – of their totems. I have a book that I wrote reciting all totems and hopefully the book will be distributed to all schools across the country so that children will learn and know in full their totems. We would like to believe that we are the first to have come up with such an initiative and we are grateful that the Government has supported me and my book,” said Dhlamini.
This is his second album after his maiden project, Commander in Chief, that was released in 2013. Over 10 000 copies of the album were distributed around the country and it received rave views.
The album carries tracks such as Perfect Comrade, Young Patriots, Chaminuka envoy and Hanging Nehanda.
“We are hoping to hold live shows across the country and make our music known,” added the Harare-born artiste.
Online Reporter