“When I first heard the sound of mbira, I wanted to hear more and more. I couldn’t stop it, I was sick until I learned to play, so I
could hear these sounds, said Mbira Queen teacher from Zimbabwe, Stella Rambisai Chiweshe.
The above experience is not unique to Stella, as she is known to her legions of fans. Those were the same feelings that drove the only
Mbira music ensemble in Gweru, Midlands Mbira Crew to traditional beat.
The group is the brainchild of three mbira enthusiasts, Trymore Marowa,
Chigama Hope and James Chiguvare formed in November of last year.
The trio reveals that while playing and listening to the Mbira rhythm,
they are “absorbed by the spiritual world”, they are possessed by
ancestral powers “that can cast away the ills of society.”
Martin Mgwagwa, the group’s manager, said the witty’s feelings
way the ancestors lived made them play mbira music, an art he says is
“inborn and does not need formal education.”
He added that the traditional compass is unique, compared to others such as
Sungura as one plays using instruments that are not connected to
external wires.
“Mbira as a part of art music is different from Sungura music which is
played with wires connected to electricity for entertainment. Mbira’s music gets deep into her heart through feelings that cannot be touched or seen.”
Mgwagwa said.
“We play mbira to express our feelings as well as those of
my community using the typical ancestry instruments that we want
preserve our children as a culture,” he added.
Mgwagwa revealed that mbira music reminds the people of Zimbabwe of the way of life of their ancestors before the advent of television and radio. He said just like
Christianity, traditional life can be captured and preserved through
playing mbira to the people of Gweru.
Mbira music is more important for social and economic issues than for politics. As the Midlands Mbira Crew we receive invitations from all over the
country to perform, especially where there will be spiritual mediums (mhondoro) or where there are ceremonies to bless new buildings
or to cleanse evil spirits.
“We have seen many artists die of HIV/AIDS and if you are playing Mbira dzechivanhu it works like a
carthesis that disciplines and cleanses evil. Midlands Mbira Crew viz. Trymore Marowa, Hope Chagama, James
Chiguvare, Owen Mbano, Skanyisiwe Kanye, Author Mbano and Clara Mashayamombe hope to record their first album on mbira
music very soon.
The trio revealed that while playing and listening to the rhythm of Mbira,
they are “immersed in the spiritual world”, which causes them to be possessed by
ancestral powers “that can cast evils on the members of society.” The traditional punch is unique, compared to others like
Sungura as one plays using instruments that are not connected to external cables”, he added.
“We play mbira to express our feelings, as well as those of my community, using typical ancestral instruments made by ourselves that we love.
preserve as a culture for our children,” Mgwagwa said.
Mbira Crew, namely Trymore Marowa, Hope Chagama, James Chiguvare, Owen Mbano, Skanyisiwe Kanye, Author Mbano and Clara
Mashayamombe are working on their first album in mbira music which will be released very soon.
There is a need to teach mbira music at the primary and secondary levels.
as a way to preserve our local culture, said Mgwagwa the Manager. Hey
encourages all artists across the country not to be shy about what
they are doing through music that uses traditional instruments.