... mbira Ephat Mujuru Muchatera Mujuru bira spirit mediums ...

... This chapter departs from the Mapfumo story to explore the world of mbira music and musicians, notably the life and music of Ephat Mujuru. A number of players of this traditional, hand-forged lamellophone describe how they became players. Accompanied by Mujuru, the author observes a bira...

... observes a bira ceremony, at which the instrument is used to attract the spirits of ancestors to possess a spirit medium. This context is contrasted with the secular use of mbira in Mapfumo’s music. The chapter concludes with a focus on how both sides of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle tried to manipulate...