This album features the music of the Zimbabwean mouthbow, or chipendani. This unusual traditional instrument uses the mouth and throat as a resonating chamber to produce melodic overtones.

20 MP3 Songs in this album (62:58) !
Related styles: WORLD: African, WORLD: African- South

People who are interested in Thomas Mapfumo Stella Chiweshe Tute Chigamba should consider this download.


Details:
On this album, Sekuru Compound Muradzikwa shares his unique style of performance on the Zimbabwean chipendani, or mouthbow. Compiled from a series of field recordings made by Jennifer Kyker at the Imire Game Park, where Sekuru Muradzikwa has been employed as a security guard for over twenty years, the album also includes a rare recording of the dzikamunhenga groundbow, also played by Sekuru Muradzikwa.

Sekuru Compound Muradzikwa was born in 1943 in Buhera, and began playing chipendani in 1955. His grandfather, who also played chipendani, initially refused to teach him. However, Sekuru Muradzikwa's desire to learn to play was so strong that as a young herdboy, he attempted to make and play instruments of bark twisted into string. While his grandfather worked in the fields, Sekuru Muradzikwa also snuck into his house to steal his chipendani to practice on. Upon discovering this, his grandfather finally agreed to teach him. However, only six months later he fell ill and died, leaving Sekuru Muradzikwa able to play just one song.

After his grandfather's death, Sekuru Muradzikwa began composing his own songs. Orphaned by the loss of both of his parents in 1962, he struggled to support himself and his siblings, playing chipendani after school for teachers who contributed some money toward his education. Finally, however, he had to leave school in search of work. After spending time in Harare, he began working at Imire Game Park shortly before Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. In addition to his duties as a security guard, Sekuru Muradzikwa plays chipendani for guests at Imire's Sable Lodge, who are privileged to hear one of the few accomplished chipendani players still actively performing in Zimbabwe.

All songs on this album are original compositions by Sekuru Compound Muradzikwa. Some are based on Sekuru Muradzikwa's unique interpretation of traditional songs from Zimbabwean chipendani and singing repertories, while others are inspired by Sekuru Muradzikwa's personal history and experiences.