Preserving the mbira genre
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Tendai Samaita Gahamadze (left) and Chaka Chakandika at Nharira Culture Centre in Norton

Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
The mbira is by any measure, a sacred instrument. Its roots can be traced to ancient times where it was played during celebrations, ceremonies and at ground breaking events.It is a crucial part of our culture and people ought to be proud of according to traditionalist and Mbira DzeNharira founder Tendai Gahamadze.

Together with Mbira DzeNharira they are the few gwenyambiras whose attachment to the instrument is not solely commercial, but is more about cultural preservation.

“It is sad how our people glorify what is foreign at the expense of our indigenous ways. We have different types of mbiras locally and the most common is the ‘mbira dzevadzimu’. It is complex and powerful but its association with spirits has driven people to opt for the ‘nyonganyonga’ that is originally from Mozambique,” he said.

The “nyonganyonga” is a popular mbira that has been played by various luminaries, including the late Chiwoniso Maraire.
It is also used to summon ancestral spirits, according to Gahamadze who is better known as Samaita.

While he has seen the best of both worlds from his high school days in the United Kingdom before studying metallurgy in Germany in the early 80s, it is these experiences away from home that drove him to appreciate his culture.

He says his decision to play mbira was a calling and over the years he has developed a deeper understanding of music in connection to culture.

“We are not ashamed of our cultural practises. Following chivanhu is different from witchcraft and Satanism, but acknowledging our roots. The way we celebrate the rains, marriage and other life experiences has to have meaning to us, not other people,” he said.

The group’s passion has seen the establishment of a Nharira Culture Centre in Norton that has been in existence since 2006.

Complete with a shrine and sacred trees — muhacha, mushuku and muchakata — it aims to provide a centre to learn about indigenous cultures.

While they embrace technology and allow use of cellphones and other electrical gadgets, they observe practises like removing shoes when entering the main “dare”.

This reporter was treated to chocolates and fizzy drinks during a visit to the shrine last weekend, showing that people can still live normally while observing their traditions.

On the issue of Christianity and traditionalism, the dread-locked musician said both sides fight the same war in the spiritual realm and only ignorant people would think otherwise.

One of the members, Chaka “Mukanya” Chakandika is from an apostolic sect. The karimba player reiterated that there was no contradiction with traditionalism as they pray to Musikavanhu — the Creator.

Other members include Clemence “Mbizi” Rice, a “Nhovapasi” base mbira player, Takawira “Gushungo” Devera who plays the lead mbira, Assa “Mukanya” Wilson (percussion) and Tony Khumalo, who oversees the instruments.

To date, Mbira DzeNharira’s albums include “Rine Manyanga Hariputirwe”, which carries the all-time hit “Magamba”, “Gomo Remandire” and “Kudya Kwenzeve”, which was released in the United States.

“Tozvireva Tingaputike Neshungu” was released after their split from members who went on to form Mawungira Enharira; then there was “Toita Zverudo”, “Gonamombe Rerume”, “Fare Fare Tindike”, “Todya Pfora”, “Nyamubvambire Wamuka” and “Dziva Renjuzu, which also has a DVD.

They are set to release a seven-track album next month that they say is nothing short of perfection. A track to look out for is “Kupfekedza Imbwa Bhurugwa” that focuses on the subject of hypocrisy.

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