The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
DECEMBER 31 has been set aside as the day for the three mbira groups that are claiming ownership of the song ‘Zviri nane Ndiende Kure’ to take to the stage and prove to audiences that they are indeed the owners of the song.
Dubbed the ‘Moyo Yavo Yakaoma’ mbira contest, the clash is being organised by Dzimbanhete Arts and Cultural Interactions Trust (DACIT), which is based near Norton.
The song ‘Zviri Nani Ndiende Kure’, better-known as ‘Moyo Yavo Yakaoma,’ is being contested by more than 10 groups.
Chikonzero Chazunguza, the Dzimbanhete founder and creative director, explained why his organisation organised such a unique showdown.
“Moyo Yavo Yakaoma is a well-known song with many renditions being played by various mbira groups.
“The many groups are all saying that they are the ones that did the version of the song which went viral.”
“As such, an audience participatory judging process has been determined as the best way to recognise the originators of the popular version,” Chazunguza said.
After an open call to mbira groups to take part in the contest, Chazunguza said three groups were successfully registered for the audience-based performance contest, which will be held at Dzimbanhete.
The three groups that will battle it out for the bragging rights to the song are Dzimba Rembada, Ubuntu Learning Village and Remapira Mbira Group.
Dzimba Rembada, which is being represented by Amigo Mukucha and Duggy Samaita, say they performed this version of the song at a Bira in Chitungwiza.
The duo claims that an unknown participant recorded the song on a cellphone, before distributing it.
On the other hand, Ubuntu Learning Village, from Serima, Gutu, is also claiming ownership of the song.
According to Joyce Warikandwa, the Ubuntu Village leading mbira player, the popular version of this song was performed by her students during a jam session. Warikandwa claims that Tafadzwa Goredema, who was a visiting drummer from Harare, is the one who was playing the traditional drums.
According to Warikandwa, a tourist recorded the song using a semi-professional gadget before uploading it on various online platforms where it became an instant hit.
The Remapira Mbira Group, which is made up of members from Chitungwiza and Kuwadzana, and is being represented by Russel Pika and Anywhere Gwara, is also claiming that they are the owners of the popular version of the song.
Their group’s lead vocalist, Tawana Gwara is the son of the late mbira maestro, Newton Gwara, better-known as Sekuru Matemai.
According to the group, an unknown mbira fanatic recorded the song on a cellphone in 2014 during a traditional ceremony (Bira), in Chitungwiza.
Chazunguza said the three groups do not represent all the mbira players that are laying claim to the song, as some of the groups were disqualified during the preliminary interviews.
He said the contest will go a long way in bringing to the fore some of the challenges that mbira musicians are facing.
“This contest paves a way to start conversations around recording, promotion, and distribution of mbira music,” Chazunguza said.
