Music lovers in Harare and Chitungwiza are set for a vibrant celebration of Zimbabwe’s traditional music when a series of mbira shows run under the theme “Mhemberero dzeMushavi.”
The cultural showcase will feature celebrated mbira performers led by UK-based mbira virtuoso Linos Wengara Magaya and his group Zimbabwe Mbira Vibes, alongside Wilfred “Nyamasvisva” Mafrika backed by the revered Mawungira Enharira.
Organisers say the shows are designed to celebrate Zimbabwe’s spiritual and cultural heritage while bringing the hypnotic sounds of the mbira closer to urban audiences.
The tour will begin on March 20 at Mushandirapamwe Hotel in Highfield, before moving to Theatre in the Park in Harare on March 27.
The cultural celebrations will then spill into Chitungwiza on March 28 at Taita Sports Bar in Unit O, before wrapping up with another performance at The Grub along Glenara Road in Harare.
Magaya, who is currently based in the United Kingdom, has earned international recognition for promoting Zimbabwe’s traditional mbira music across the globe.
His performances are known for their energetic delivery and deep spiritual connection, blending ancestral rhythms with contemporary stage presentation.
Sharing the stage will be Nyamasvisva and Mawungira Enharira, whose music is rooted in the traditional Mawungira eNharira mbira style.
The shows will also feature contemporary guitar sensation Zee Guveya as the supporting act, bringing a modern musical flavour to the largely traditional line-up.
Magaya said the performances were meant to reconnect Zimbabweans with their cultural and spiritual heritage.
“We are doing these shows mainly to reconnect with our Zimbabwean audiences. Although we have performed this music in the United Kingdom and across Europe for many years, mbira music was learned primarily to serve and communicate with our own people,” he said.
“Mbira connects Zimbabweans to their ancestors, their identity and their cultural roots. As someone who grew up in Kadoma and Mhondoro surrounded by traditional ceremonies and spiritual teachings, I feel a deep responsibility to keep that connection alive through music.”
Magaya said his long stay in the United Kingdom helped broaden his musical knowledge through both performance and academic study.
“Over the past two decades we have been recording, performing and studying music in the UK,” he said.
“I later pursued formal education in music, completing both an undergraduate degree and a Master’s degree in Popular Music Practice, which helped expand my knowledge of music theory and performance.
“With this experience, we now feel it is important to return home regularly to Zimbabwe not only for performances but also for workshops where we can share what we have learned over many years of musical work.”
Magaya and his group, Zimbaremabwe Mbira Vibes, have recorded more than 20 albums in the UK and produced several music videos that are widely available online.
“These works have been followed closely by Zimbabweans in the diaspora and listeners around the world,” he said.
“Now we want to bring that music directly to audiences in Zimbabwe, reminding people that mbira music is not only entertainment but also a powerful expression of our culture and one of the oldest ways our people connect with their ancestral heritage.”
Speaking on the future of mbira music, Magaya said the instrument continues to evolve musically while maintaining its traditional roots.
“The future of mbira music in Zimbabwe is very bright,” he said.
“Over the years the instrument has evolved from being played mainly in one tuning mode to modern players experimenting with different tunings and musical modes.
“This gives traditional songs new dynamics and richer harmonies while still preserving their spiritual foundations.”
He added that modern technology has also helped bring mbira music to larger audiences.
“Today mbira can be amplified and played electrically like a guitar, allowing bands to perform on big stages, festivals and international venues,” Magaya said.
“While some people still view it mainly as a sacred instrument, many musicians are now exploring its potential in genres such as Chimurenga, reggae and contemporary fusion.”
His counterpart Nyamasvisva said “Mhemberero dzeMushavi” was meant to create a platform where both older and younger generations can reconnect with indigenous sounds that have long served as a vehicle for storytelling, spirituality and community bonding.
“Mbira music is a cornerstone of our cultural identity. Through these shows we want to celebrate our heritage while creating spaces where people can experience the power of traditional music live,” he said.
Mbira music has experienced a growing revival in recent years, with younger audiences increasingly embracing the instrument.