Some of these renowned outfits have become popular for putting up exciting performances in the city entertainment spots such as The Mannenberg and Book Café.Little-known but arguably one of the country’s finest mbira outfits Mbira DzeMutupo and Hwevambira will grace the occasion at this year’s Hifa and are expected to summon ancestral spirits and engage them in a traditional commemoration of the festival.
Since the inception of the Harare International Festival of Arts (Hifa), it has become a ritual that the festival celebrates the opening day with a traditional bira ceremony.The ritual still lives on and this year these two outfits are slated to perfom when the festival kicks off.
Mbira DzeMutupo and Hwevambira are not new on the local mbira scene, having perfomed at a number of mbira festivals.
“The bira celebrates traditional beliefs, rituals and ceremonies, transporting watchers, audiences and participants into trance-like states, opening them up to the blessings and protection of the ancestors.
“Drawing on the strength of their ancestry, this traditional ensemble of six musicians will command the Global Stage with the rhythm of their mbiras, drums (ngomas) and hoshos (rattle)”, said Rosie Mitchell of the Hifa communications department.
Mbira DzeMutupo is a traditional Shona mbira ensemble led by Alexio Musaope and Jimmy Mhukayesango, which was formed in 1992 while the duo was part of Savannah Arts in Harare’s Mbare high-density suburb.
Today this mbira outfit is an ensemble of six musicians and they are not new on the local music scene, having featured regularly at the Bocapa Stage at the Book Café, Movement Cultural Night, Follow the Train Festival as well as the October Summer Music Festival.
Mbira DzeMutupo will be performing at the Global Stage, showcasing their expertise as traditional entertainers.
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They are worth looking forward to, especially their songs from their debut album Dzorai Mwoyo. They have perfomed at Hifa before, being were part of the groups that perfomed at Hifa in 2005.
Their outfit is complemented by a unique style of how they play the mbira, drums and rattle, the traditional Shona instruments providing a musical context through which they entertain their audiences with musical and rhythmic discussions, storytelling as well as musical reflections on various social issues.
“With music as their guide, they create rhythmic discussions, weave tales of the old times and reflect on social issues that affect each of us today.
The audience can expect to not only dance but some education through music,” Mitchell said.
