JERUSAREMA-MBENDE ensemble, Ngoma Dzapasi, is recording a 12-track album, which will probably be the first of its kind in Zimbabwe, as they seek to preserve the traditional genre for posterity.
BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA
The Goromonzi-based group’s founder, Alfred Chiyangwa — affectionately known as Mambo Mukuvapasi — said the album, Nhano (Steps), will be launched at this year’s edition of the Jerusarema-Mbende Festival to be held at Murewa Culture Centre in August.
He said they wanted to promote the cultural music and dance through the albums.
“We have done enough in terms of live performances. It might seem weird, but it is our duty as Jerusarema artistes to make known the historical music and dances to other areas outside Mashonaland East Province. As a well-known Jerusarema group, we are proud of this initiative,” he said.
“The album comprises of other songs that have Mbende drumbeats fused with kwaito, house and reggae beats. This is meant to reach a wider audience.”
Ngoma Dzapasi won the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance national competitions in 2014.
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Jerusarema-Mbende dance festival is characterised by sensual and acrobatic movements by women in unison with men, driven by a single polyrhythmic drummer accompanied by men playing woodblock clappers and women clapping their hands, yelling and blowing whistles.
