Nhemamusasa: among the oldest songs in the mbira repertoire of Zimbabwe, it means "temporary shelter". Nhemamusasa encourages a sense of repose among the vicissitudes of life.
-Spiro/Williams
North: "Were you ever out in the Great Alone, when the moon was awful clear,
And the icy mountains hemmed you in with a silence you most could hear;
... While high overhead, green, yellow, and red, the North Lights swept in bars?--
Then you've a hunch what the music meant . . .(a) hunger and night and the stars."
-Robert Service
We are pleased to invite you to Nhemamusasa North 2009, a very special opportunity to gather together in community and immerse yourself in the music and culture of Zimbabwe.
"It was the highlight of my summer. I loved the 'feel' of the event: camping out, eating communally, having workshops under the trees, talking with the fabulous Zimbabwean musicians about their lives. Great!" D. P.
This year we will again gather at O.U.R. Ecovillage, a sustainable learning centre and demonstration site about 45 minutes north of Victoria near Shawnigan Lake. There we will gather over six days to share in the deep and nourishing musical and cultural traditions of Zimbabwe.
"Something that I can only describe as magical. This year I learned parts to four new mbira tunes, and sang more than I ever have in my entire life. I'm already looking forward to next year." G.M.
Nhemamusasa North offers daily workshops in marimba, mbira, hosho, dance, drumming and singing at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. (For a sense of how Nhemamusasa North's daily activities are structured, view the 2006 schedule)
"It was truly an inspiring time, my head is still spinning!!" W.S.
Confirmed teachers at Nhemamusasa North for 2009 (subject to change) are Peacheson Ngoshi, Jacob Mafuleni, Edmond Micah Munhemo, Tonderai Ndava, Kurai Blessing Mubaiwa, Garadziva Chigamba, and James Mujuru. Watch for more teachers to be announced in upcoming weeks.
Mbira dzeMuninga is a four-piece ensemble that plays traditional mbira music from the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Jacob Mafuleni, Micah Munhemo, Tonderai Ndava and Peacheson Ngoshi are known as gwenyambiras (master mbira players) in their country, to recognize their roles in traditional spiritual ceremonies of the Shona people. These performances have rekindled an interest in traditional music among young urban Zimbabweans more accustomed to Western forms of popular music. The group's mission is to show that despite tough conditions that have seen their political and economic climate deteriorate over the last decade, the people of Zimbabwe remain hopeful for a better day. Their music is an expression of joy rooted in the Shona culture of Zimbabwe. www.dzemuninga.com
The members of Mbira dzeMuninga call each other by their totems (shown in parentheses) as a sign of respect for the spirits that endow each one of them with their musicianship.
Mhofu's hosho is the crucial backbone to everything that happens in a Mbira dzeMuninga performance. Often understated in his playing, Mhofu can whip a Mbira dzeMuninga arrangement into a frenzy with the stroke of one hand so subtly that it almost seems as if he is whispering into everyone's ear that they need to speed up. In addition to his hosho, Mhofu plays the Nhovapasi (bass) mbira with the group.
Soko is a multitalented gwenyambira who is as equally adept at the ngoma as he is at the mbira. His Dongonda (sub-rhythm) mbira fleshes out Peach's bass and Mudyanevana's lead mbiras, giving voice to the rich harmonies and intricate interlocking parts that emerge from multiple players. Soko is a highly sought-after musician in Zimbabwe, performing with renowned musician Chiwoniso Maraire & Vibe Culture as well as other bands when he's not playing with Mbira dzeMuninga.
Mudyanevana is the elder "sekuru" of the group and holds a deep sense of history and a presence that bespeaks of a shaman. In Mbira dzeMuninga's repertoire, his Nheketo (high lead) mbira lines are sparsely laid out and yet have the effect of filling the whole sound. His graceful presence and backing vocals make Mbira dzeMuninga's live performances unmistakably special, as if one is in the middle of a healing ceremony at the same time that one is dancing to their music. Countless times, audiences have been drawn to tears as soon as Mudyanevana's nheketo mbira comes in, as if their souls have been touched by the mbira and spoken to in a way that can only be understood in the spirit world. His facial expressions when he plays the mbira are those of a man playing with, and for the spirits.
Mwendamberi is the youngest member of Mbira dzeMuninga, although to watch the transformation he undergoes on-stage, one would not guess that at 26 years old this gwenyambira is routinely summoned to play at traditional spiritual ceremonies in his village, an honour few mbira players experience in their lifetime. Mwendamberi plays the Hweva (rhythm) mbira and often fills in on the Nheketo in some of Mbira dzeMuninga's performances. His mbira style is highly improvisational and yet deeply spiritual at the same time. Eyes closed for most of the performance, pacing back and forth as if playing a little game with the audience, Mwendamberi is entertaining to watch when he gets into a groove, as he starts to wildly shake his dreadlocks in sync with what he is playing.
Kurai was born in 1977 in the village of Murewa in Zimbabwe. He began playing the mbira at the age of six, learning from his father, his uncle, and other village elders. He has been singing and dancing since the first moment he could talk and walk, growing up in the rich cultural environment of his father's village. He often played mbira and drums and danced in traditional ceremonies and other public gatherings.
In 1994 Kurai moved to the city of Harare, where he joined the cultural group Savannah Arts. There he continued with mbira, singing, and dancing, as well as learning to play marimba and training as an actor. It is here that he fused his different skills, adding a rich cultural layer to Savannah Arts' productions.
In 1998 he toured West Africa and Europe with Zimbabwe's Chiwoniso Maraire, and afterward went to Reunion Island (France) to work with Theatre Talipot in the physical theatre production Passage, which toured Reunion, South Africa, and Scotland.
After leaving Theatre Talipot in 2000, Kurai returned to Zimbabwe where he continued to perform as a musician and as an instructor facilitating mbira, marimba, and dance workshops. In 2001 he began an apprenticeship with Garikayi Tirikoti, a master mbira craftsman, where he learned from Garikayi's 30 years of experience making mbiras.
Kurai's rural and urban experiences, his upbringing in Zimbabwe, and his extensive travels have resulted in a unique fusion of many different styles, including traditional Shona, blues, funk, reggae, and West African.
James Mujuru believes music to be the channel to ever existing life. When he plays, he is opening this channel and thus connecting with his ancestors, bringing the wisdom of the past into the present.
James comes from a lineage of renowned mbira players of Dambatsoko Village, near Rusape in Eastern Zimbabwe. He is the first born son to the late Ephat Mujuru, and thus was inspired by him to begin learning formal mbira music and the art of making mbira instruments. He started his international career at the age of 19, touring to Reunion Island, France, and South Africa. After the sudden death of Ephat, James, along with his younger brother Silvester, reformed Ephat's Spirit of the People ensemble and performed ceremonies and shows throughout Zimbabwe.
James inspires many Zimbabweans, as well as the international community, to learn the sacred ways of mbira and Zezuru culture by teaching the music in cultural centres and schools throughout Zimbabwe. One of the gifts mbira has given him is learning to be in community with others, and in 2000, he was invited to join Kufunda Village Learning Centre to teach culture and learn about community development. In 2007 James founded Masango Cutural Center, a place where Zimbabweans and the international community can come together to learn and practise these same skills. Now residing in Canada half time, he hopes to continue teaching and sharing these ways in order to keep the traditions alive and to inspire others.
Camping is the main accommodation at the Ecovillage. Coastal weather is always variable, so please be sure to bring an all-weather tent and sleeping gear. Hot water and bathing facilities are available. There are also motels and B&B's available in the nearby communities of Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, and Cobble Hill. Three delicious meals a day will be provided, with plenty of vegetarian options. We cannot accommodate special dietary needs, so please be sure to make your own arrangements if needed.
Fees for Nhemamusasa North are all-inclusive, and include admission to all workshops, evening activities, 3 meals (and snacks) per day and camping.
Discounted tuition if paid by July 18th, 2009
(Balance due by July 18th)
Full time fee • Adults $475 • Children $290
Daily fee • Adults $125 • Children $90
Tuition after July 18th
(Please note that registration for Nhemamusasa North will close July 31st)
Full time fee • Adults $525 • Children $315
Daily fee • Adults $150 • Children $100
A 50% deposit is required with registration (balance due upon arrival at camp). Full payment must be received by July 18th for discounted tuition. Those wishing to pay the entire fee in advance will be gladly accommodated. After July 18th, all deposits are non-refundable. Before July 18th, a $75 processing fee will apply to all refunded deposits. Fees are in Canadian dollars. U.S. funds are accepted at current exchange rates. Please note that children under the age of 16 attending Nhemamusasa North must have a designated chaperone on site with them. Contact information for this person must be indicated on the registration form. Thank you!
O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE is a sustainable learning center and demonstration site which focuses on ecological ways of living involving permaculture design. "We are dedicated to researching and modeling ways that are rooted in social, cultural, spiritual, economic and ecological well-being."
O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE acts as a bridge between the rural and urban experience. They offer a protected green space and a healthy, supportive community learning environment for residents, participants in programs, and the wider local and global communities. As well, they actively create partnerships with groups and organizations from all walks of life who are interested in living in community and living lightly on the earth.
The Cowichan Valley was originally named The Warm Land by the Quw'utsun'(Coast Salish). The Cowichan First Nation peoples have inhabited these lands for 10,000 years. Here rich farmland, old growth and successive forests, rivers, mountains and ocean mingle in Canada's only Maritime Mediterranean climactic zone.
The nearby village of Shawnigan Lake contains two small general stores, three restaurants, several beaches and various small businesses. The Village is a well-known venue for arts and craft shows, and hosts a small but excellent museum.
For those interested in the First Nations heritage of the area, the Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre in Duncan offers on-site interpretive tours, traditional artwork, and native food.
The Cowichan River, a provincial Heritage River flowing 47 km. from Lake Cowichan to a large ocean estuary at Cowichan Bay, is known for it's river tubing. Float for hours on it's gentle current past fields and forest (inflatable tubes available for sale in Duncan). There is also a 20 km. hiking trail along the riverbank.
The valley is also home to a cidery and a dozen wineries (tours available), as well as farm markets and many and varied artisans.
O.U.R. Ecovillage is located on southern Vancouver Island, a 50 minute drive north-west of Victoria on the Trans-Canada highway.
From Victoria:
From Duncan/Nanaimo:
Useful contacts:
Ferries to Victoria:
From Victoria to Mill Bay/Shawnigan Lake:
Pick-up from Shawnigan Lake or Mill Bay can be arranged with prior notice.
To register, please PRINT the PDF registration form and POST (along with cheque payable to Nhemamusasa North) to address on form.
Check-in will begin at noon on August 5th. Camp will end at approximately 1 pm on August 10th (bagged lunch provided).