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KUNZWANA MBIRA GROUP has a voice speaking of traditional values and culture. Their songs speak to all people, regardless of their race or origins, because they combine traditional Shona mbira music with songs of modern day issues that are present throughout the world.
NYATHI formed Kunzwana Mbira Group in 1983, which initially became popular through performances at mapira (traditional ceremonies), later reached a wider audience through performing at large festivals in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city, as well as being featured on the national television and radio stations. Kunzwana’s songs touch upon issues such as the AIDS pandemic, women’s issues, poverty, and have also performed to help support the work of NGOs such as “Girl-Child Network” and “Artists Against Poverty”.
Nyathi learned mbira at a young age through her dreams. Within Kunzwana, Nyathi acts as a spirit medium for the spirit of her great-grandfather, Sekuru Nyathi. Through possession, Sekuru Nyathi advises the family on solutions for problems and can also treat others who ask for assistance. In Zimbabwe, ancestral spirits have the ability to heal people by using herbs, snuff, sping water, etc.
Kunzwana Mbira Group are not only musicians, but cultural activists that inspire confidence in the ways of the past. Nyathi has been asked to speak at significant forums on the subjects of traditional culture and healing, including a discussion at HIFA 2000 (Harare International Festival of the Arts), as well as being featured in an ongoing television series on ZBC to discuss the experience of being a traditional healer and to comment on some of the pressing issues that facing Zimbabweans today.
Special Thanks to Kris Grevstad for making a demo recording in Zimbabwe to help make the European Tour in 2007 possible.
VERSION FRANÇAIS
Le Kunzwana mbira group exprime la culture et les valeurs traditionnelles des Shona du Zimbabwe. Sa musique s’adresse à tous, quelque soit la couleur de peau. Elle entremêle des chants traditionnels accompagnés à la mbira avec d’autres plus contemporains traitant des problèmes communs à tous à travers le monde.
Nyathi a commencé à apprendre à jouer la mbira encore enfant dans ses rêves. Elle a constitué le Kunzwana mbira Group au début des années 1980. Il est rapidement devenu populaire grâce à ses participations aux cérémonies traditionnelles. Puis, il a commencé à se produire sur les scènes du Zimbabwe (Harare International Festival of Arts / Rainbow Arts Center / Book Cafe …) pour diffuser son message au plus grand nombre.
Dans le Kunzwana mbira group, Nyathi intervient en tant que médium de l’esprit de son grand-père, Sekuru Nyathi. A travers la possession, Sekuru Nyathi, a la capacité de guérir et de conseiller les gens à l’aide de l’usage de différentes herbes, du « snuff » (tabac broyé en poudre), des eaux de sources, etc.
Career Highlights
2007 : First concerts in Europe at the festival Voix des Femmes in Belgium and at the Museum Quai Branly in Paris, France.
2005 : Nyathi assists taking care of orphan girls in association with Girl-Child Network and Tariro, to aid the overwhelming need of children who have lost thier parents due to AIDS and other tragedies.
2000 : Performed at the International Women’s Day Conference; Harare
2000 : Performed at HIFA, Harare International Festival of the Arts, and Judith Juma gave a talk on spiritual healing conducted in English and Shona; National Art Gallery, Harare
2000 : Performed for a benefit for Girl-Child Network – an NGO that deals with the sexual abuse on young girls in Africa; Harare
2000 : Featured on “Bridging the Gap” a benefit CD release by the UNDP and Artists Against Poverty .
2000 : Opened for Oliver Mtkudzi and Tumbuka Dance Troupe; Rainbow Arts Center, Harare
2000 : Had a weeky traditional music spot on ZBC, Zimbabwe’s national television station, Harare
2000 : Nyathi did an ongoing television series on ZBC, and was featured as a traditional healer to talk about comtemporary issues in Zimbabwe; Harare
2000 : Recorded first Kunzwana CD "Shamu YaPasi" Mhumhi Records
1999 : Performed at HIFA, Harare International Festival of the Arts, opening ceremony, National Art Gallery; Harare
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