Reviving Ancient Tribal Music

Ancient Healing Music

*A wonderful article written by Caven Masuku (with liberal editing by Lillian Brummet) that shares how shaman used music as part of their ancient healing methods - how this is being revived and the joy of traditional African music.

"When I first listened to the mbira sound, I wanted to hear more and more. I could not stop it, I was sick until I learned to play, so I

could hear these sounds.", said Zimbabwe's Mbira Queen maestro, Stella Rambisai Chiweshe.

The above experience is not unique to Stella, (as she is known by her legions of fans), Those same feelings also inspired the only

Mbira music ensemble in Gweru, the Midlands Mbira Crew, to the traditional beat.

The group is a brainchild of three mbira enthusiasts, Trymore Marowa, Chigama Hope and James Chiguvare was formed in November last year and are about to release their first album soon.

The trio reveals that as they play and listen to the Mbira beat they

get "engrossed by the spiritual world", they get possessed with

ancestral powers "that can cast the evils of society away."

The group's manager Martin Mgwagwa explains that the artful way ancestors lived made them play mbira music, an art he says is "innate and does not need formal education." He added that the traditional beat is unique, compared to others as

Sungura as one plays using instruments that are not connected to

external wires.

"Mbira as part of art music is distinct from Sungura music that is

played out of wires connected to electricity for entertainment. Mbira music get into the bottom of his heart through feelings that can neither be touched or seen", said Mgwagwa. "We play mbira to express our feelings as well as that of my community using typical ancestry self made instruments that we want to conserve as culture to our children", he added.

Mgwagwa revealed that mbira music remind the people of Zimbabwe about their ancestor's way of life before the coming in of television and radios. He said that traditional living can be captured and conserved through playing mbira to the people of Gweru.

Mbira music is more salient to social and economic issues than in politics. As Midlands Mbira Crew we get invitations from all over the

country to perform, especially where there will be spirit mediums (mhondoro) or where there ceremonies to bless new buildings

or to cleanse away evil spirits. "We have seen many artists dying of HIV/Aids and if you are playing Mbira dzechivanhu it works on you as a carthesis that disciplines and cleanses away evil."

The trio revealed that as they play and listen to the Mbira beat they are "engrossed in the spiritual world", which make them get possessed with ancestral powers "that can cast the evils to the society members. "The traditional beat is unique, compared to others as Sungura as one plays using instruments that are not connected to external wires... We play mbira to express our feelings as well as that of my community using typical ancestry self made instruments that we want to conserve as culture to our children.", Mgwagwa explained. "There is a need to teach mbira music at both primary and secondary levels as a way of preserving our local culture" Mgwagwa and the band want to inspire all artists around the country not be shy about what they are doing, and to explore music that uses traditional instruments.

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