By Branton Matondo
Long awaited Mbira fiesta, dubbed the ‘ultimate Mbira excursion’ will walk its first steps come February 2, 2024 at the home of traditional arts Courtald Theate in Mutare.
The sound of Mbira music with its raw enthusiastic touch has always been a cornerstone of Mutare and Manicaland as a whole and the festival will run under the theme ‘heart of mbira’ and artists will showcase mature talent from the border town.
Ntswai Ntswai band Director Sir Lino Piloto said the festival was long overdue and said they were anticipating a great event with lots of fun.
“As Ntswai Ntswai band in collaboration with Mabvazuva Hub, we are launching a mbira session in the name ‘Heart of Mbira. It’s an exciting feeling altogether because it was long overdue. The launch will take place at Courtald Theater on the February 2.
“Ntswai Ntswai first clicked its fingers in the year 2000 and Piloto feels that this is the right moment to honor the instrument and traditional music as a whole.
“The idea was long overdue and as a collection we feel this is the right moment to honor our fan’s and the tradition of mbira. The main idea is to promote, preserve, and celebrate the culture of mbira. Mbira music has been engrained in our cultural DNA for long and as a long living band we felt it was our duty to bring up this platform,” he said.
He said the Heart of Mbira will be a biweekly musical event with plans of making it a weekly event.
“The initial plan is to hold this event after every 2 week’s which means two sessions per month. As time goes on we also look forward to hold the event weekly so as to widen the breadth of our fan base in Mutare and nearby places,” said Piloto.
Henry Tsopotsa, a participant, assured fans of a great day come February 2nd.
“It’s almost 2 weeks before the launch and the word on the street is for fan’s to come in their numbers and enjoy the bald mbira sound courtesy of Ntswai Ntswai. It’s going to be a start of a long overdue journey,” said Tsopota.
