MaAfrika: A maestro spearheading mbira revolution
MAWUNGIRA eNharira leader Wilfred MaAfrika Nyamasvisva takes a brief moment to gaze into the dark, abysmal passages of time, clears a troublesome throat and begins by reminiscing on an era gone past!
“Yes, we were an ensemble born out of resilience, rigorous tutoring and exceptional effort so that we would be able to spearhead the revolution of the mbira genre which we so much enjoy today,” Nyamasvisva.
“In the beginning, some people (including some founding members) did not understand our destination and they jumped ship, but Tendayi Gahamadze, one Mutede and myself soldiered on.
“It was until the release of our debut album as Mbira dzeNharira titled Rine Manyanga Hariputirwe that it suddenly dawned on the nation that we were doing everything on purpose.
“Ours was not the ordinary mbira music people play at ritual ceremonies, but a unique kind whose total product comprised lead, rhythm, sub-rhythm and bass.
“We bagged the Nama award for the best mbira album and a year later, did the same for our second, Gomo Remandiriri, thereby becoming a force to reckon with.
“A couple more projects followed, but then when a man has got to go, he has to go.
“At the end of 2005 I packed my things and left and thereafter, founded my own project, Mawungira eNharira, which I currently lead.”
He added: “I know a lot has been said and written about my departure which split what was inarguably the best mbira music combination ever, but at the same time, feel I have not been given the floor to respond appropriately.”
“All said and done I enjoy cordial relations with Mbira dzeNharira and have great respect for Samaita (Tendai Gahamadze).”
Nyamasvisva’s appointment with Standard Style last week was to discuss a new album that he has just put final touches on, and will soon be launched at a ceremony in Harare.
He reckons it has been an arduous journey punctuated with countless challenges which date back to his entry into music, hence the flashback.
His new project is titled Bvunza Mutupo, the seventh on his rich discography as Mawungira eNharira, and it comprises eight tracks. The title song is about the need for would-be couples to ascertain the identity of their partners to avoid makunakuna.
“It is taboo to marry from one’s own totem because it brings forth bad luck and lots of other regrettable circumstances within the family and clan at large,” Nyamasvisva said.
“Because of urbanisation, many are compelled to migrate to major cities and towns where they find themselves engaged to persons they are related to because they never bother to question their background.
“Bvunza Mutupo (literally translated meaning ask for the totem) seeks to address this by encouraging young men and women to desist from marrying their own.”
Tisunungurei, another song on the album, speaks to a plea for release from the bondage of mental slavery.
The singer bemoans the imposition of “foreign” religion at the expense of the indigenous which he argues has shaped a people over time. Nhundu Yemago and Bandupandu complement the new project.
For an ensemble that has been in existence for 16 years, Nyamasvisva believes they have made a meaningful contribution to the arts sector in general and to mbira music in particular.
Their albums Mawungira (2006) and Chinamanenji (2007) were both award winners at NAMA.
Factor in challenges that include piracy and the Covid-19 pandemic and you have a group that is both contended and motivated to fulfill their mandate of spiritual fulfillment through satiating mbira lovers’ thirst for their beloved brand of music.
“Piracy has been a handicap, a thorn in the flesh for every artiste,” Nyamasvisva said.
“It has somewhat had an effect at the rate at which we produce new stuff as we oftentimes feel there is not much, financially, to derive from a new project.
“But again, you ought to balance between that and the needs of your fans who, occasionally, look forward to new music from their favourite musician.
“Thanks to digital media, we now have platforms to market and sell our music and no longer solely rely on recording companies. Mawungira musical products are now available on YouTube and we have been able to attract listeners and buyers from all corners of the globe who purchase online.
Even Google now recognises mbira music.
“The Covid-19 pandemic was another setback, but the situation was much better for us, the mbira musicians, because families never stopped performing traditional rituals such as unveilling of tombstones (kurova makuva),” said Nyamasvisva who once toured the United States to perform at the ZimFest.
There, he took time to record an album titled Hurongwa while at the same time giving mbira lessons to the Diasporans.