The Sunday Mail
Tendai Chara
SARUDZAI JARAVAZA, the leader of Duramazwi Mbira Ensemble, one of the most active and popular mbira groups in the country, likes to do things her own way.
Unlike other mbira groups that are sticking to the “old” ways of doing things, Jaravaza and her group is adjusting to the changing times.
The group is, however, avoiding the danger of becoming too Westernised as it maintains the most important aspects of our traditional culture.
Whilst the majority of the mbira ensembles are still sticking to the traditional dance costumes that are made up of mostly animal skins, beads and feathers, Jaravaza is putting a fashion conscious and modern touch to her dance costumes.
This has seemingly resulted in the ensemble endearing itself to a growing number of admirers.
In her video for the song “Chembere Dzemumvura”, Jaravaza and her two dancing queens adorn modern and very fashionable costumes.
In a deliberate effort to retain the traditional aspect of mbira music, the songstress and her ensemble perform intricate foot movements whilst they are barefooted.
Also, the male members of the ensemble will be adorning the usual traditional mbira dance costumes.
This mixture of traditional and modern aspects of mbira music has seemingly resulted in a rise in popularity for the 11-member ensemble.
Basing on the response from viewers who watched the video on several online platforms, the majority of the people that are enchanted by the group’s performances are Zimbabweans that are based in the diaspora.
As a result of the performances and the way the group presents itself, Zimbabweans based in other countries have invited the group to perform in the foreign lands in which they are based.
The group fuses mbira dances, which are unique, with amplifying gourds (hosho) and drums with intricate foot movements.
In 2019, the group performed at the Harare Mbira Festival and received a standing ovation.
The group’s video for “Chembere Dzemumvura”, which was posted on one of the online media platform attracted positive reviews.
“This is a praise song for marine spirits that assist people through mediums, mermaids (chembere/mhondoro dzemvura/ njuzu. It is a great, modern mbira song,” a blogger who identified himself as Kelvin Tsoka wrote.
Another blogger who identified himself as Solo Sadio wrote: “I don’t know what they are singing about but I like the music. One love Africa.”
The group has a large following on social media platforms, with thousands of viewers taking an active interest in the group.
Jaravaza, who is also a popular traditional healer, is patiently awaiting the time when musical groups are allowed to travel abroad for performances.
“We were invited to perform in several European countries, in the United States, Canada and New Zealand. Last year, we performed in South Africa and Namibia before the second wave of the coronavirus outbreak shattered our dreams,” Jaravaza said.
Before the lockdown and in previous years, the group was active on the local social scene, and was at one time contracted to perform at Red Café in Harare.
Group members were drawn from Zvimba, Murehwa and Harare, with one of the mbira player being a former member of the Norton-based Mbira dzeNharira.
Jaravaza, who is known for wearing trendy outfits and for driving expensive cars, spoke at lengths about the efforts that she is making to change the perception that some people have towards mbira music and traditional healing.
“Some people have the mistaken belief that traditional healers and mbira musicians must dress shabbily and live in poverty. Traditional healers are like every other person and traditional headdresses and beads are only tools of the trade,” the Mbare-based artist and traditional healer said.
Mbira music is believed to be used as a medium to invite ancestral spirits into the midst of the community.
