The Paper

Mbira: Constraint and Mobility in Shona Society

Introduction | Introductory History | Mbira Music | The Bira and the N'anga | Learning the Mbira | Constraint and Mobility | Conclusion | End Notes | Bibliography


Mbira Music Samples

To listen to the sound files, you must have the RealAudio Player. If connected to Kenyon's network and experiencing problems: if asked what to do with the RealAudio file, click "Pick App," then type in "G:\RAPLAYER\RAPLAYER.EXE" If not at Kenyon, or if experiencing problems, download the file from the
RealAudio Site.


Paul Berliner, Zimbabwe: The Soul of Mbira, Nonesuch, 1978.
Nyamaropa
Performed by MhuriyekwaRwizi Ensemble (Hakurotwi Mude: voice and mbira; Cosmas Magaya, mbira; Ephraim Mutemasango, hosho) Recorded in Highfields, Harare.
Nhemamusasa
Performed by MhuriyekwaRwizi Ensemble (Justin Magaya, Luken Pasipamire, mbira; Hakurotwi Mude, voice; Webster Pasipamire, hosho) Recorded at a bira in Kwaramba Village, Mondoro.
Mbiriviri
Simon Mashoko, mbira (35-key nhari) & voice. Recorded at Glen Cove, Masvingo.
Dangurangu
Mubayiwa Bandambira, mbira (23-key mbira dzavadzimu) Recorded at Musondza Village, Mondoro.


Forward Kwenda, Svikiro -- Meditations From an Mbira Master, Shanachie, 1997.
Mahororo
"Baboons' voices" or "freedom following victorious struggle." Played by Forward Kwenda and Erica Azim.
ChidhangeChidhange
Played solo on a 28-key gandanga tuning mbira by Forward Kwenda.
Chipembere Nhimutimo
"Rhinoceros' dust cloud." Played solo on a 28-key gandanga tuning mbira by Forward Kwenda.


Links (Zimbabwe)

Spirit Talk Mbira
ZimWeb: History of Zimbabwe
CIA Factbook: Zimbabwe
Mbira Home Page
National Geographic's Zimbabwe Page
Index of Zimbabwe Sites

Links (General)

University of Pennsylvania African Studies Dept.
Links to African Studies Programs
AfricanHistory.com
African Studies Quarterly: An Electronic Journal
African Travel
Kenyon College History Department



Created by Sam Ottenhoff, Kenyon College, 1997.