Shona Music and Dance

Mbira Music of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

• Was British colonial “Rhodesia” until 1980

• War of independence from Britain: 1966-1979

• Although English is official language, most speak Shona (Bantu language)

Spiritual Beliefs

• Strong belief in presence of ancestors and their spirits

• Many different types of spirits, including family members, chiefs, non-relatives and animals

• Believe that evil spirits (“witches”) also exist

The Bira• Bira = all-night, family-based ceremony with

singing, dancing, and libations• Considered primary means of communication

with the spirit world• Main instrument used: mbiras

The Mbira• Set of long metal keys• Soundboard with bridge to hold keys in place• Resonator to amplify sound• Jingles of various material made to buzz

Player and Instrument• Mbira can be intimate instrument

• Instrument faces player

• Instrument produces melody, rhythm, overtones, “white noise”

• “The mbira’s sound surrounds the player”

Mbira Music

• Short repeated phrases with small variations

• Emphasis not on dazzling improvisation but on the gradual development of a “piece”

• Usually 4 sections of 12 beats

• Songs structured on two “parts” – leader (basic melody) and follower (variations)

Principle of Interlock• Playing technique (alternation of fingers)• “Leader” and “Follower” parts• Polyrhythms generated by 3:2 feel• Polyphony generated by multiple melodic

“layers”• Singing, instrument and hosho shakers

play in interlock – none is the “soloist”

Song: “Nhemumasasa”• Each melodic phrase = 3 x 4 note unit = 12

pulses• One time through entire musical unit =

3x4 3x4 3x4 3x4