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From Kutsinhira

Mawungira Enharira "mbira orchestra" in Eugene!

DESPITE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, ZIMBABWEAN MUSICIANS BRING MESSAGE OF HOPE AND HEALING

June 9, 2008 (EUGENE,OR) As their native country of Zimbabwe is mired in political and social turmoil following the disputed March 29, 2008 presidential elections, the members of Mawungira Enharira travel to the US to spread a message of hope and healing to the world.

Mawungira Enharira is a six-piece ensemble that plays traditional mbira music from the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Known as gwenyambiras (master mbira players) in their country to recognize their roles in traditional spiritual ceremonies of the Shona people, Mawungira Enharira performances have rekindled an interest in traditional music among young urban Zimbabweans more accustomed to Western forms of popular music.

As part of their tour, Mawungira Enharira will be visiting Eugene from June 25 – 27. They will perform their spellbinding “mbira orchestra” music with singing, drumming and dancing in traditional animal-skin attire at Cozmic Pizza, 8th and Charnelton, on the evening of Friday, June 27, following an opening set by Hokoyo Marimba, the sizzling Kutsinhira youth ensemble. The show starts at 7:30 pm. Admission is $10-20 sliding (students half price, children under 12 free). This show is unlike anything you are likely to see without traveling to Zimbabwe, and is not to be missed!

Members of Mawungira will also offer a public workshop in Zimbabwean song, dance, drumming and hosho, bringing participants a feeling of the party atmosphere of a village celebration. The workshop will be held at Tamarack Wellness Center, 3575 Donald Street, Eugene from 6:30 – 8:30 pm on Thursday, June 26. Workshop fee is $20 ($5 discount for Kutsinhira members). RSVP to Marilyn at 484-5034, or mkolo@continet.com

Mawungira Enharira has risen to the top of the popular music charts in Zimbabwe despite an unflinching loyalty to traditional music in a country whose audiences would normally flock to more modern fare. For that, Zimbabweans who have scattered all over the world as a result of the economic hardship in their country look to Mawungira Enharira’s albums as the umbilical cord that ties them to their homeland.

For Tichaona Mafrika, the group’s lead vocalist and bass mbira player, traveling across America at a time his country is in a state of crisis offers an opportunity to highlight the unique warmth of the Zimbabwean people and their enchanting music.

“We see this tour as shining a spotlight on Zimbabwe, not only for its problems but for all its beautiful people and their resilient spirit,” said Mafrika. “Back home, we sing when we are happy, we sing when we are sad, we sing as a form of protest and as a form of praise. At the end of the day, our music speaks the truth about our culture and its people and overlays a beautiful tune to it.”

Mawungira Enharira’s music is as much forceful social commentary in the form popularized by iconic Zimbabwean master musician Thomas Mapfumo as it is a spiritual exploration that has blurred the lines between secular and sacred music in Zimbabwe. “The mbira is not just an instrument,” says Mafrika, “It is the spiritual foundation of the Shona people, and to play it for us as a group is to honor our ancestors and bring hope to Zimbabwe.”

For Loebbe Gahamadze, the group’s manager, the US tour presents a unique, if unplanned, opportunity to continue the dialogue about Zimbabwe’s future with Americans interested in world music and cultures. “Our hope is that the group’s visit to the US will not only remind people of what is happening in Zimbabwe politically, but will also remind them of the profound sense of humanity that the cultures of Zimbabwe express through their music,” said Gahamadze.

Mafrika, alongside gwenyambiras Jacob Mafuleni, Micah Munhemo, Tonderai Ndava Peacheson Ngoshi and Tonderai Phiri will be touring the United States from April 29, 2008 through July 28, 2008. Information on their tour can be found at www.mawungira.com.