By Fidelis Manyange
THE mbira, also known as thumb piano, is a uniquely African traditional instrument that has been played for more than 1 000 years and is integral to the traditions and cultural identity of the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
The instrument, which consists of a wooden board with attached staggered metal tines, is found in various forms, namely mbira nyunganyunga, njari mbira, nhare, mbira matepe and mbira dzavadzimu. The late Sekuru Gweshe’s njari mbira was particularly unique as it consisted of more than 70 keys. According to the experts, mbira sounds better in its natural form when it is resonated by a calabash (deze) instead of an electric amplifier.
Dumisani Maraire, Ephat Mujuru, Stellah Rambisai Chiweshe and Beullah Dyoko are among the notable pioneers in not only exporting mbira music overseas, but playing and lecturing on it. In later years, the late Chiwoniso Maraire and Hope Masike (pictured) also did the same.
As we celebrate this proudly Zimbabwean musical instrument this month, promoter Partson ‘Chipaz’ Chimboza of Chipaz Promotions has joined hands with the Government of Zimbabwe in hosting a mbira show dubbed ‘Bira reMbira’. Thus, for all mbira lovers, all roads lead to Gwanzura Stadium at Machipisa Shopping Centre, Highfield, on 27 September in commemoration of Mbira Month.
The ‘bira’ will feature the creme de la creme of Zimbabwe’s talented sons and daughters who will showcase their mbira, hosho, drum, clapping and ululating and singing skills to their adoring fans. The favourable sunny September weather and lots of opaque beer for the imbibers will, no doubt, make the day a memorable one.
‘Chipaz’, who recently held an oversubscribed Harare Zimdancehall Cup Clash, is upbeat about the forthcoming show, whose line-up includes Nyamasvisva, Diana Samkange, Jah Prayzah, Hope Masike, Andy Muridzo, Amadhuve Sasha and Vee Mhofu (pictured), among others.
Jah Prayzah and Andy Muridzo are now mbira– playing veterans who started playing the instrument during their primary school days in Mashambanhaka, Uzumba.
A relative newcomer is Miriam Lishomwe aka Amadhuve Sasha, who is the late Edna Chizema’s (better known as Mbuya Madhuve) niece who rose from being the youngest dancer and backing vocalist in her aunt’s musical videos on the popular local television programme Mutinhimira Wemimhanzi in the 1990s.
A singer and songwriter of the traditional mbira genre, Vee Mhofu is currently riding high on the local charts with the track, ‘Mucheka weRetso’ which is in high demand among Harare’s leading entertainment joints. Despite also being a relative newcomer, Vee Mhofu has broken new ground in a genre often associated with those with a rural background. Among his diehard female fans are ‘masalads’ who call themselves ‘manjuzu’ (or mermaids).
Not to be outdone is Kurai Makore, who is related to Thomas Mapfumo and is regarded by many as the chimurenga music maestro’s incarnate.
Thomas Mapfumo regarded the mbira as a key instrument which shaped his chimurenga beat such that he roped in seasoned mbira players, Chartwell Dutiro and Chaka Mhembere, in his Blacks Unlimited Band.
Since the 1980s the mbira instrument has been a source of livelihood for those making, playing and teaching it not only at home but overseas.
During this Mbira Month we also remember the likes of Newton Matemai of Nheravauya Mbira Group, who was a regular feature at the Beer Engine at Harare’s Cresta Jameson Hotel. Then there are Murehwa-based Fungai Zata and his colleague Zemba, who called themselves Zata Zemba Mbira Group; Thomas Wadharwa Gora aka Sekuru Gora; Nyamuzihwa Mbira Group; Chamunorwa Masomera of Pasivanhu Mbira Group, Sekuru Gweshe and Jenkins Mandaza, who was blessed with an excellent voice, prolific mbira-playing skills whose iconic compositions, including ‘Taiwe Gumi Nevaviri’ were remixed by the late Mbuya Madhuve.
Of course, Mbira Month is not just about the players, but also the people behind the scenes, such as Albert Chimedza.
Chimedza is among a few select Zimbabweans who spend their time developing, refining and improving the instrument so that one day it will be as universal as any other musical instrument. Over the years, he has designed hundreds of mbira shapes (magwariwa), some of which were on permanent display at Pakare Paye Arts Centre, Norton, proof that the late Oliver Mtukudzi was a passionate mbira fan.
Despite playing second fiddle to the ubiquitous guitar, the mbira knows no bounds as it can be used in all genres even gospel music notwithstanding that some Christians deride it as a ‘pagan’ instrument for its association with ancestral worship.
However, it has been embraced by others who believe that it is similar to the traditional drum and ‘hwamanda’.
As we celebrate Mbira Month, let us be proud of this traditional instrument which is uniquely ours. Let the mbira, ululations (mhururu), hand clapping (manja) dominate most of the entertainment joints around this country this month.
Mbira kuvanhu mumwedzi waGunyana!!!
