Zimbabwe Traditional
Music
Instruments used: Marimba
( xylophone), mbira, drums, horns, rattles
Types of dances: mbakumba,
jiti, ngororombe, jerusarema, muchongoyo
The traditional music of
Zimbabwe has a lot of rhythm and is full of excitement and vigorous dancing
activities. This explains why traditional dancing and ceremonies are an
eye-catching scene to many people especially the tourists who pay visits
to Zimbabwe. Most of the spectacular dances and music can be spotted in
many tourist resorts like Victoria Falls. The songs are composed poetically
in and so many riddles are within this interesting music. Many songs are
composed according to what is happening at that time in the country or
to people. Specific music is played on specific occasions and although
it may look only as a form of entertainment there is a special significance
in the music. The different instruments are also used for different occasions.
The style of music and dance
I would like to describe is that played at the occasion called Jenaguru'
Festival of the full moon'. Many young people, teenagers, take part in
this festival and main dance is Jiti. There are well known experts in drum
beating who normally are the first ones to arrive. A fire is lit and the
drums are drawn closer to the blazing flames to lighten the skin on the
drum so that it produces a heartwarming booming sound.
As the sun sets young boys
and girls begin to arrive. The girls come with their rattles and on the
way they practice the songs they intend to sing. When all participants
have arrived the ceremony begins.
In the brightness of the
moon and stars, the melodious beating of the drums begin as the dancers
prepare to take stand. Usually a boy and a girl start the ball rolling
with a marvelous dance. They do not wear shoes and as the dust evolves
but no one takes notice as their minds and eyes are glued on the dancers.
As time goes by others join in and also introduce some different styles
of dancing.
It is also usual that when
girls rest, giving turn to others who are still energetic, boys seize this
opportunity to approach them and at times propose love to them. The ceremony
goes on until dawn and everyone needs to recover from fatigue thus leaves
for their respective homes. By the time the sun pierces the morning mist
only footprints indicate that some vigorous dancing was taking place.
The Jenaguru and many other
traditional festivals allow young people to enjoy music, interact and take
some rest from the hard work they do.
