Zimbabwe: Instrument craftsmen are behind the creation of music
By Alfred Tembo – Music is Zimbabwe most celebrated art form that has witnesses most artist travelling across the world to illustration what they are made of nevertheless the music continues to be celebrated leaving out the instrument manufactures out of the celebration for a half victory in candidly serve as custodian of preserving the nation’s tradition.
Traditional classics composing of pure African instrument and orientation that grips the international audience, with our own Stella Chiweshe, Chiwoniso Marare, Dudu Manhenga being among prominent musicians taking a lead in exporting the service to diasporas. These musicians have taken the podium as top earners in the music industry by enterprising the indigenous music and sometimes event he instruments across the old.
The penetration of Zimbabwe musician on the international musical market and other relevant frontiers as either arts ambassador has witnessed Shona and Ndebele musical instruments and dances exported to such distance countries like Sweden, Germany, Australia, England, New Zealand among other countries.
Shout-africa.com had such a rare opportunity to share a light moment with Almon Moyo an unsung and less popular Gweru based musical instrument manufacture.
“Transition Arts offers expects in instruments construction and designing. Our trainers are skilled and trained at Kwanongoma music workshop.” said Moyo.
“Apart from this we supply instruments to various schools and institutes. Lately we were supplying people were exporting the musical equipment to Asia” the unsung hero said
Nevertheless Moyo whose name has travelled beyond the seas and lands to such place he may never set his foot on, runs a company that specializes in construction and designing of African drums construction, Nhare mbira, Chipedani, Chigufe, kwanongomo mbira (Nyunga Nyunga) and Nhare mira (Dzavadzimu) and percussion sets.
To a surprise diminutive honour has been offered to our own musical instruments crafts men.
“It really surprises me at how the music has been treasure across the country without celebration effort of , instrument makers. And the people ho say they appreciate this kind of African music do not even know the instrument that produces the music for some they have never set their eyes on these African instruments.
“As an organization we have been very active in promoting the traditional musical instruments.
“We have been involved in facilitating workshop, training programs that deal with impacting musical skills to school going pupils. And also we training musicians among other people we offer services to.”
In a separate interview Tawanda Mukoko said despite his passion for music, his career started at Transitional Arts. “Passion goes with; skills Transitional Arts Center offer me the opportunity to travel beyond my dreams.
“It really break through chance to be mentored by a skilled artisan who understands is skilled in manufacturing and tuning the instruments.” said Mukoko who is now playing with one of Gweru’s leading contemporary musical company.
Moyo said it is really a privilege and an honor to create musical instrument that keep our culture sacred and are appreciated elsewhere.
“It is really a great opportunity to have the capacity to create musical instruments that facilitates for our tradition to known of and be recognized in other countries, especially at such a time when civilization demands us to neglect our tradition and culture for renovate wares.”
In Zimbabwe today several modern upcoming artist packing to the music industry are resorting to contemporary music for the appreciation of the soothing and appealing resonance.
The thumb piano (mbira) can be traced back to pre-colonial era, during iron age when copper mining actives were booming in Mhangura, around Goromonzi near Sadza, Njanja, Buhera in Mashonaland East.
Unlike in the academic institutes where the instrument is regarded as a pillar of traditional musical culture, today it is still one place where mbira music dominants during social activities and passive activities in their communities.
