Musician, author and playwright Noel Marerwa’s latest play Tirivangani/Ignatius will be launched today at the University of Zimbabwe(UZ)’s Beit Hall.
Report by Silence Charumbira Entertainment Reporter Directed by Samuel Ravengai of the UZ Theatre department, the play explores a somewhat critical conflict between Zimbabwean culture and modernism.
It portrays Christianity prominently wreaking havoc in societies where the basic facets of human life-like names are changed, thereby diluting what used to be a strong sense of belonging.
Set in 1890, the story is about Tirivangani a brave hunter and fighter who is converted to Christianity, sparking a sharp conflict between dictates of the new religion and his cultural values and beliefs.
Tirivangani is forced to change his name to Ignatius after conversion.
Ironically Tirivangani and Ignatius are the names of Marerwa’s fellow author Ignatius Tirivangani Mabasa.
Marerwa said he sought to remind audiences of the rich yet fast dying Shona culture.
“There is a way of life that we have effectively rejected which was fostered by the Shona culture, just like the ways of marriage,” Marerwa said.
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“In the play we portray musengabere (a traditional marriage ritual) and various other initiation rituals that were conducted before a couple got married. In modernised societies it sounds archaic, but it is still being practised in Chewa communities.”
The cast of three women and four men hails from Hopley Farm and Marerwa said he chose people from that community as a way of empowering the marginalised.
“The whole cast of seven comes from Hopley. I like to call them ‘thespians’ because that is the name that was used during the Shakespearean era.
“I feel it gives them exposure when everyone else is shunning them and I must say I am happy with the work they have done so far.”
The play will be showing at UZ starting today at 6:30pm and running until Friday.
“The run at UZ will signal the beginning of a national tour that will see us showcase at various tertiary institutions in all the country’s 10 provinces.”
He said he made use of musical and dance fusions to emphasise the level at which local cultures have been relegated to the past.
Marerwa paid tribute to Culture Fund of Zimbabwe, who he said, have been instrumental in the funding of the production.
