Preserving Matepe music
in the 21st century

Recording and overdubbing all of the six Kuvachenjedza parts… Taking a break from the recordings, Samora and Sekruru enjoyed themselves playing the song together…

One of the most challenging aspects of learning mbira, especially matepe, is to figure out how multiple players’ parts interlock with each other. In some cases, players are able to relate each part to a common reference (e.g. a beat pattern played with Hosho shakers). In Diwa area, matepe was not played with Hosho though.…

Induldging in memories of touring with his Zengea Youth Karimba Ensemble, Sekuru pulled out this programme of a mbira festival at Muziekcentrum De IJsbreker with an amazing lineup: Chaka Chawasarira & Zengea Karimba Ensemble, Thomas Mapfumo & The Black Unlimited, Beauler Dyoko & the Black Souls, talks & lectures by Keith Goddard, Paul Berliner, and…

Kuvachenjedza (Rega kuvachenjedza kuchadoka ~ Don’t warn them until it gets dark) is the most important song for the mhondoro spirits of Diwa / Makusengwa area, where Sekuru Chawasarira and his teacher Mathias Jackson Chidavaenzi stayed until they were forced to leave in 1974 by the beginning liberation struggle. Chawasarira says it’s his favourite song,…

First day to set up our recording equipment in the yard and do some tests.

We are as excited as we are happy and grateful to launch a project this month that we have been working towards for a long time: Over the next few months we want to create video lessons for the entire repertoire of Matepe master musician Chaka Chawasarira, as well as his instrument building process, and…