Cultural Presentations and More

We will learn the significance of ngano folktales in Zimbabwean (specifically Karanga) cultures. Through a brief presentation and demonstrations in the first half hour, I will show students how to tell a typical set of ngano, showcasing different kinds of folktales. In the next hour, we will collectively create our own folktales (based on prompts I’ll give during the workshop).The workshop will conclude with us sharing our stories as in the olden days. Ngano folktales often include a musical component, so any student who wishes to include mbira, marimba, drumming or hosho in their story creation, feel free to bring it!
Materials to Bring: Notepad, pen and any musical instrument of their choosing (very optional).

A provocative exploration of what elements of Zimbabwean culture still serve its people and what might need to be questioned, evolve or be abandoned.

A look at using songwriting to address particular issues such as protest, environment or gender.

I will share the impact of community culture and traditions that keep the people united, committed and loyal to helping each other. Trust is everything especially when it comes with tolerance, love, kindness and forgiveness. Therapists were unheard of among the majority of the population until a decade ago, so people were raised to tell stories, entertain each other, comfort the bereaved and uplift each other. There were many secrets to happy living that made people live stress-free and comfortable. I plan to share the components of what makes Zimbabweans resilient, ever-smiling and committed to loving one another.
Materials to Bring: None. Come as you are. You can bring notebooks or gadgets to record. Your choice.

Knowing proverbs in Zimbabwe is a sign of literacy and wisdom. We will look at how these proverbs, which often draw profound insights from observing the mundane, teach an important lesson about presence and mindfulness in day-to-day living. We will do a creative activity in the second half of this workshop whereby we shall make our own proverbs by drawing on observations of our environment. This practice will train us to elevate our thinking into the metaphysical potential of the mundane, or simply put, seeing truths beyond the reality in front of us.
Materials to Bring: Notepads and pens.

Introduction to Shona and Ndebele language, focusing on simple communication. This workshop will enable the participants to learn words, sentences and gestures that will make it easy for them to interact with Ndebele or Shona speaking individuals. This is also an opportunity to learn a different language which will become handy should you visit Zimbabwe.
Materials to Bring: Notebook, pen.

In this workshop, I’ll collaborate with Sekuru Solomon Madhinga (based in Zimbabwe) to help introduce mbira dzavaNdau to a wider audience. Sekuru Madhinga is an impressive custodian of the cultural knowledge of the Ndau people, and an excellent maker and player of this instrument which is seeing a resurgence after decades of decline. This will be an introduction to the instrument, by learning two songs “Chifembera” and “Zinyakadende.” Students can choose to learn one or both songs, depending on their skill level. All sales of mbira dzavaNdau instruments and proceeds from the workshop are passed on to Sekuru Madhinga.
Materials to Bring: None.

I call the mbira that I developed “Nyunga huru” (large nyunga) solely because it has 23 keys on which one can play songs in three different major keys. For example, the nyunga huru in standard F tuning will have an F major scale, a B flat major scale plus a C major scale. I would like to think that this would be something “kind of new” that I will share with students at Zimfest. We will work on the song “Musandisiye ndega” which is sung in three parts plus a lead singer.
Mbira Tuning: The Nyunga huru that I will bring along from Zimbabwe.
Materials to Bring: Something to write with/on.

This workshop is dedicated to exploring the various types of Shona rhythms using hosho and wooden clappers. The primary goal is to evoke and cultivate an appreciation for the diverse polyrhythmic patterns present in our traditional music.
Materials to Bring: A pair of hosho and a pair of makwa (clappers).

In this collaborative workshop, I’ll introduce the chizambe/xizambe/chinyamazambe, a Southern African friction bow played by the Karanga, Ndau and Shangani peoples. Workshop attendees will learn the subtle rhythmic and melodic art behind this instrument. We will learn about the historical and cultural background of friction bows, the different musical styles used within different cultural iterations of the chizambe, and we learn a song called “Ndozofa Musango.” All sales of the chizambe instruments, as well as proceeds from the workshop, will be passed on to Sekuru Madhinga who made them, to encourage him to continue promoting this diminishing craft.
Materials to Bring: Notepads, something to record with if they desire.

We will learn several four-part harmony songs by ear. “Zunguza muviri” means shake your body; some dance movements will be part of the singing. “Kwaya“ (plural form “makwaya”) is a Shona word that has been derived from the English word choir. Makwaya relates to Zimbabwean indigenous choral music which was very Afrocentric in nature. Songs to be taught: 1. Siyahamba siyahamba. 2. Kwangena thinabo 3. Juba lami 4. Gona ramachingura Participants in this workshop are invited to perform in the Festival Highlights show from 4:10 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10 if available.
Materials to Bring: Something to write with/on.