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Trust Khosa

TOP mbira players reckon arts regulatory chiefs, researchers and academics have a big role in promoting the sacred traditional instrument from grassroots level.

The call comes after the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and other stakeholders have endorsed September as the Mbira Month.

The mbira instrument was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2020.

This makes the thumb piano (mbira) a sacred instrument whose cultural significance should be preserved at all costs.

Highlighting its cultural significance, Mawungura Enharira leader, Wilfred “Nyamasvisva” MaAfrika, urged researchers to document the history of mbira.

Nyamasvisva fears the mbira instrument is at risk of losing its appeal and value if locals do not preserve the traditional instrument.

“As a mbira player, teacher and manufacturer, it is quite an honour that September is now dubbed Mbira Month on the arts calendar.

“The month-long celebration means a lot to those who understand the significance of this instrument, which is deeply grounded in our Shona tradition.

“We should preserve it at all costs and take ownership of the instrument,” he said.

Nyamasvisva, who has toured the world and taught mbira overseas, challenged locals to embrace the thumb piano.

“My main worry at the moment is that we are not doing enough to promote and teach youngsters to master the instrument.

“After years of travelling and touring the world, I have noted that mbira lessons are being taught from pre-school to university level.

“I have also noted that it is being used as a therapy in some health facilities where mbira players are invited to play the instrument for patients.

“This shows that we do not value it because foreigners are modifying and adopting it as theirs. If we are not careful, foreigners will be touring Zimbabwe to play mbira for us,” he said.

Nyamasvisva, who has been in the game for over three decades, urged educationists to include mbira in the new curriculum.

“I am glad that the new curriculum touches many aspects of life and I will be glad if mbira and other traditional instruments are also taught in school.

“As part of our heritage, we should not only wait for the Mbira month to start appreciating the instrument.

“Mbira should be celebrated every day since the ancient instrument has been in existence for ages,” he said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by consistent female mbira player, Sasha Amadhuve – real name Mirriam Lushomwa – a cultural activist and mbira player in her own right.

Sasha, who is the niece to the late Edna “Mbuya Madhuve” Chizema, believes people need to be enlightened on its cultural significance.

“There is a wrong perception among people who associate mbira with evil spirits.

“Some church leaders have demonised the instrument yet it is as good as a guitar, saxophone or keyboard played in pubs.

“Some of the instruments played in the church are also used in pubs yet mbira is despised.

“It is quite unfortunate that the same instrument we despise here is being taught overseas,” she said.

The talented performer, who mastered the mbira instrument under Mbuya Madhuve’s great tutelage, urged cultural advocates to step up their campaigns.

“The UNESCO endorsement is enough proof that we are a blessed nation that has an instrument which is celebrated globally.

“This is an honour for us to cherish some of the things we inherited.

“If we do not cherish all this, strangers will enjoy our cultural heritage and monetise it,” she added.

Mbira DzeNharira founder and leader, Tendayi “Samaita” Gahamadze, respects Mbira Month for its significance in promoting Zimbabwean culture.

Gahamadze, one of the long-serving mbira gurus after independence, has been on a massive drive to unite mbira players.

“We have been uniquely observing Mbira Month because of its cultural significance.

“I am the organising secretary of Chivavarira National Mbira Music and Arts Culture which has been mobilising members to come together and celebrate the month.

“We have over 200 members and 20 groups that are willing to come and join the movement,” he said.

Outlining their vision, Gahamadze said the movement was aimed at catering for the welfare of mbira players.

“As we are busy promoting the traditional instrument, we should not also forget the welfare of mbira players.

“We can only achieve most of our goals if we speak in one voice as mbira players.

Diana “Mangwenya” Samkange, whose stock continues to rise with each day, said the 30-day global celebration of the Zimbabwean traditional musical instrument, is a triumph.

“We should not take the Mbira month lightly because it means a lot to us.

“No matter how we try to run away from our tradition, mbira will remain one of the most sacred instruments.

“Its cultural significance should never be underestimated at all,” she said.

She urged Zimbabweans to respect their tradition.

“The mbira instrument should not be associated with evil spirits has been the norm over the years. We should promote it at the grassroots level and not only wait for the Mbira Month to market it.”

The late Mbuya Stella Chiweshe is regarded as one of the exporters of mbira.

The late Dumisani Maraire, Ephat Mujuru and Sekuru David Gweshe were also some of the top mbira players who exported the instruments overseas.

They left footprints hard to erase.

Meanwhile, a series of events have been lined up in Norton, Gwanzura Stadium and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare this month-end.