1 | Title | Composer | Arranger | Level | Taught to Kutsinhira by | Kutsinhira Resource | Song Meaning | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | Amaxoxo | Alport Mhlanga | Dumisani Maraire | Beg + | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | Song of the frogs | Alport Mhlanga was one of Dumi‘s teachers at Kwanongoma College. Dumi composed the harmonic section typically played in Kutsinhira's version of the song (per Claire Jones). |
3 | Babamudiki | Paul Mataruse | Paul Mataruse | Int | Paul Mataruse | Wanda Walker | An orphaned boy is raised by his younger paternal uncle, and is sad because he needs to leave his uncle. | More advanced arrangement by Mutswi Wambuya - Int + |
4 | Bangidza or Bangiza | Traditional mbira | Nathan Beck | Adv + | Wanda Walker, Gary Spalter, Caleb Donahue | Could be an alternate spelling of “pangidza,” which means “show” | Known as Bangidza or Bangiza or Pangidza. | |
5 | Baya Wabaya | Traditional drumming/ singing song | Claire Jones | Int + | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | Wanda Walker | An old song for war. Literally, “Stab, you stab.” | Commonly played on lots of instruments and sung at football (soccer) matches in Zimbabwe. Often played at kurova guva ceremonies. |
6 | Baya Wabaya | Traditional drumming/ singing song | Musekiwa Chingodza | Int | Musekiwa Chingodza | Gary Spalter | An old song for war Literally, “Stab, you stab.” | Commonly played on lots of instruments and sung at football (soccer) matches in Zimbabwe. Often played at kurova guva ceremonies. |
7 | Botsotsi | Mike Sibanda | Int | Gary Spalter | Gary Spalter | Hooligans (thieves) and their mischevious behavior | ||
8 | Chamunorwa | from Thomas Mapfumo‘s recording | Wanda Walker | Int | Wanda Walker 1996 | Wanda Walker | What are we fighting for? | |
9 | Chemutengure | Traditional | Dumisani Maraire (with some additions by Michael Breez) | Beg + | Michael Breez | Maggie Donahue | (not literal) - meant to imitate the sound of wagon wheels as white settlers came to Shona lands, approximately 1890. | Some lyrics refer to the poverty of the wagon driver, and societal disruption. |
10 | Chamutengure Chaminuka | Version of Chemutengure | Musekiwa Chingodza | Beg + | Musekiwa Chingodza | Gary Spalter | singing about Chaminuka, a great spirit | |
11 | Chemwainyera | Dumisani Maraire | Dumisani Maraire | Beg + | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | What you have been hoping/wishing/waiting for is now happening. | |
12 | Chigwaya | Traditional mhande singing and drumming song, played on mbira | Wanda Walker | Int | Wanda Walker | Wanda Walker | A song about a bream fish, played for the njuzu (water) spirits. | The marimba lines are taken from singing lines taught by Musekiwa and mbira parts taught by Musekiwa and others. |
13 | Chipembere | Traditional pasichigare mbira | Stephen Golovnin | Int + | Stephen Golovnin | Gary Spalter | Literally means “The black rhinoceros,” but symbolizes determination. | |
14 | Chipindura | Traditional mbira | Nathan Beck | Adv | Nathan Beck | Caleb Donahue | Things are changing | On the mbira, this song can be used to change the mood at a bira ceremony. |
15 | Chipindura | Traditional mbira | Wanda Walker | Adv | Wanda Walker | Wanda Walker | Things are changing | These marimba lines are taken from singing lines taught by Beauler Dyoko and mbira parts taught by Cosmas Magaya. |
16 | Chiradza | Godfrey Ntatis | Dumisani Maraire | Beg | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | Kgopotso is a Setswana word which means remembrance. | Alport Mhlanga told us that this piece is actually Kgopotso composed by Godfrey Ntatisi, a Motswana man who studied at Kwanongoma during the early sixties. He was a contemporary of Emanby Chiradza and Alport Mhlanga. |
17 | Click Song | Nathan Beck | Int | Nathan Beck | Gary Spalter | Made famous by Miriam Makeba. Called Click Song because westerners could not pronounce the Xhosa name Qongqothwane | ||
18 | Dande | Traditional mbira | Wanda Walker | Adv | Wanda Walker | Wanda Walker | Dande is an area in northeastern Zimbabwe that is considered sacred, and where there is salt. | Arranged in the mode as played on mavembe. From singing lines taught by Beauler Dyoko and mbira lines taught by Cosmas Magaya. |
19 | Dangurangu | Traditional mbira | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | Int | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | ||
20 | Gospel | Eric Miller | Eric Miller | Adv | Caleb Donahue | Intended as an anthem for the people to stand up and make it through their tough times. | Eric originally arranged the song for a marching band | |
21 | Gwabi Gwabi | George Sibanda | Gary Goldwater | Beg + | Gary Goldwater mid 1990's | Wanda Walker | Courting song - “I have a girlfriend; She lives at Nkamben, sure I love her; I will buy her buns, sweets and bananas.” The song also can refer to teasing someone by holding out a treat then pulling it away when they reach for it! | See links: https://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=5109 OR http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-real-meaning-of-song-gwabi-gwabi.html |
22 | Hapana | Dumisani Maraire | Dumisani Maraire | Beg | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | Nothing is happening here | |
23 | HeLeLe | Garadziva Chigamba | Garadziva Chigamba | Int | Garadziva Chigamba | Wanda Walker | The lyric "Kudai nyika dzine mutemo Wakangosiyana" means roughly that every country has its own laws. The speaker is helping a friend adjust to customs outside of Africa. | |
24 | Hombi | Dumisani Maraire | Dumisani Maraire | Int + | Sheree Seretse | Wanda Walker | The baboon | |
25 | Isu Tauya Pano | A marimba piece adapted from a Shona children‘s game | Dumisani Maraire | Int | Wanda Walker, Gary Spalter | If everyone who was supposed to come were here, we would all have more fun. | A contemporary interpretation of a song that was popular in the 1980s during the celebrations at Zimbabwe‘s independence. The song itself shares the communal voice of everyone that took part in the liberation war and made it back alive. While they are happy to be gathered in the name of independence, they cannot help imagining how much more joyous an occasion the independence celebration would have been had all those who fought in the war made it back alive. | |
26 | Kamba | Mandy Walker-LaFollette and Wanda Walker | Beg | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | Wanda Walker | tortoise | A simplified version is available from Mandy. | |
27 | Kapotso Unondo Tamba Iwewe | Dumisani Maraire | Dumisani Maraire | Int | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | Unondo tamba iwewe means, “You are not serious enough.” | The first movement of this piece is Kapotso, a Chopi children‘s tune. The Chopi are an ethnic group of Mozambique. Dumi added 3 movements |
28 | Kasahwa | from Stella Chiweshe‘s recording on “Ambuya” of a traditional mbira song | Gary Goldwater | Adv | Gary Goldwater | a little snake bone | ||
29 | Kukaiwa | Dumisani Maraire | Dumisani Maraire | Beg | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | to be bothered | Written as a learning piece for his students, this is often the first piece a marimba student will study at Kutsinhira. Song: Maiwe, maiwe, ndaneta kukaiwa. A woye, woye kukaiwa. Ndaneta means “I am tired.” |
30 | Kumakomo | Chris Berry | Chris Berry | Int + | Chris Berry | Wanda Walker | Going to the mountain - in search of enlightenment. makomo literally means mountains (plural). | |
31 | Kutambarara I | Dumisani Maraire | Dumisani Maraire | Int | Claire Jones | Maggie Donahue | To spread | Dumi is quoted on the jacket of “Pieces of Africa” by the Kronos Quartet. “What is spreading is African concepts, perspectives, philosophies, traditions and cultures through African music. This is now being done by Africans themselves.” This version is different harmonically with different lyrics from later versions by Dumi on the mbira. |
32 | Kuzanga | Traditional mbira | Claire Jones | Int | Wanda Walker | Living happily without fear | Claire Jones: “A song about a jealous woman. Tute Chigamba said Kuzanga was the first, older wife in a polygamous marriage which explains some of the lyrics I‘ve heard.” | |
33 | Leopard Finds a New Home | Michael Breez | Adv | Michael Breez | Wanda Walker | From liner notes by Michael Breez: This is the story of Leopard, who awakens one morning feeling fear and grief. Knowing from deep within that he must leave his home, Leopard gathers the other animals of the jungle and they all flee, searching for safety. This piece is dedicated to the indigenous peoples and animals of the world who have been uprooted from their homes. | ||
34 | Maimbo | Alport Mhlanga | Dumisani Maraire | Beg | Larry Israel, Michael Breez | Maggie Donahue | Mother of Mbo. Also refers to a singing style. | This was Alport’s graduation composition from the Kwanongoma College. |
35 | Mangwanani | Dumisani Maraire | Beg + | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | Mangwanani means good morning. | This is a medley, including Rugare as the first movement of Dumi’s piece Mangwanani. | |
36 | Manhanga | Traditional | Claire Jones | Beg + | Wanda Walker | Sweet pumpkins; Some lyrics say “You’ve never tasted pumpkins/squash this good.” | Claire arranged this from what Dumi taught her on karimba. It is a traditional piece and very commonly played by Zimbabwean marimba groups. | |
37 | Manhanga | Traditional | Musekiwa Chingodza | Int | Gary Spalter | " | ||
38 | Marenje | Traditional mbira | Garadziva Chigamba | Int | Wanda Walker | AKA Mauya Mauya. | ||
39 | Marenje | Traditional mbira | Wanda Walker | Int | Wanda Walker | Wanda Walker | Meanings of marenje include “a ceremony to pray for rain” and “wilderness” (a place where ancient spirits may be found). (from mbira.org) | Wanda created this arrangement to introduce the kushaura/kutsinhira style songs, implementing mbira drumming from Patience Munjeri, singing lines from Musekiwa Chingodza, and various mbira lines. |
40 | Mazai | Eric Miller | Eric Miller | Adv + | Eric Miller | Bud Cohen, Caleb Donahue | Eggs | |
41 | Mbira | Gary Goldwater | Gary Goldwater and Shumba | Int | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | Gary considered this a generic mbira style piece. It is an excellent piece to begin learning this type of music. | |
42 | Mhondoro | Traditional Mhande song | Jacob Mafuleni | Beg + | Jacob Mafuleni | Gary Spalter | The lion spirit | Also the name of an area in Zimbabwe. |
43 | Mhondoro Dzinonwa | Traditional Mhande song | Nathan Beck | Int | Nathan Beck | Wanda | The lion spirits drink | |
44 | Mukatiende | Traditional mbira | Mandy Walker-LaFollette; Alex Weeks | Int | Mandy Walker-LaFollette; Alex Weeks | Wanda Walker | Wake up and let‘s go; something is about to happen | AKA Bukatiende, Mukatiende. |
45 | Mukaitiende | Traditional | Musekiwa | Adv | Musekiwa 2014 | Caleb | ||
46 | Mupanda | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | Int | Mandy | Wanda | “Rain tree” | ||
47 | Mutengeni | Traditional mbira | Wanda Walker | Int + | Wanda Walker | Wanda Walker | The lyrics are “Kashiri kamambo, Kangaka chamhedza; Nhengeni / Mutengeni” which means “The small bird of the king might swallow the nhengeni, the fruit of the mutengeni tree.” | Wanda learned this traditional mbira song from Chartwell Dutiro (found on the CD Spirit Talk Mbira / Ndonga Mahwe - Return As Spirit). |
48 | Ncuzu | Dumi, from an Ndebele gumboot dance, Ingquzu | Beg | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | This song is meant to make you think about the train carrying the workers to the mines. | Song starts slow like a train and then speeds up. | |
49 | Ndangariro | Traditional | Ephat Mujuru | Beg | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | To remember good things, or to remember the past in a way that serves the present and future | The song was arranged by request from Eugene, Oregon’s professional marimba band Shumba. |
50 | Nhemamusasa | Traditional mbira | Gary Goldwater | Int + | Joel Lindstrom and Gary Goldwater | Wanda Walker | Cutting branches for a temporary shelter | |
51 | Nhemamusasa | Traditional mbira | Jacob Mafuleni | Int + | Jacob Mafuleni | Gary Spalter | Cutting branches for a temporary shelter | |
52 | Nhemamusasa | Traditional mbira | Wanda Walker | Beg | Wanda Walker | Cutting branches for a temporary shelter | This is a simplified version of Joel and Gary’s arrangement, using chords. | |
53 | Nhemamusasa Yekutanga | Traditional mbira | Wanda Walker | Adv | Wanda Walker | Nhemamusasa “the old way” | Based on mbira parts taught by Cosmas Magaya. | |
54 | Nhimutimu | Traditional mbira | Wanda Walker | Beg + | Wanda Walker | Nhimutimu refers to the dust that comes from people dancing. | This song is based on mbira parts taught by Cosmas Magaya and some recordings of John Kunaka on the CD “Zimbabwe.” Cosmas says the song means “shortcut” because it is a way to play the mbira song Nyamaropa with fewer notes. | |
55 | Nyamamusango | Traditional mbira | Nathan Beck | Adv | Caleb Donahue | Meat in the forest | ||
56 | Nyamamusango | Traditional mbira | Joel Lindstrom | Adv | Wanda Walker | Meat in the forest | ||
57 | Nyarara Baba | Traditional mhande rhythm song | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | Beg | Wanda Walker | Be at peace, father. | Based on the singing lines to Nyarara Baba, learned from Jennifer Kyker (as Ndoenda Zvangu Kumandega). | |
58 | Nyawo Iwami | John Mambira | Int | John Mambira | Gary Spalter | Literally means "my foot"; figuratively "make my legs dance" | ||
59 | Nyuchi | Traditional mbira | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | Adv | Wanda Walker | Bees | ||
60 | Nyuchi Dzinoruma | Traditional mhande rhythm song | Jacob Mafuleni | Beg + | Jacob Mafuleni | Gary Spalter | going to war, the sting of the spears | |
61 | Nyungwe | Dumisani Maraire | Beg | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | Nyungwe is a region in Mozambique. | The piece was inspired by a ngoma rhythm Dumi heard in a tavern played by musicians from Nyungwe. | |
62 | Pamuromo | traditional Chidzimba (hunting) song | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | Int | The cheekiness of one who has nothing | Arrangement based on the Chiwoniso Maraire recording on the CD “Rebel Woman.” This was also recorded by Thomas Mapfumo. | ||
63 | Pfumvu Paruzevha | Traditional | Paul Mataruse | Int | Wanda Walker | trouble in the village | ||
64 | Rise | Chris Berry | Int | Jeff Brahe | Gary Spalter | Later referred to as “Arise.” | ||
65 | Rugare-Mangwanani | Dumisani Maraire | Dumisani Maraire | Beg + | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | happiness, comfort, well-being, peace | Per Claire - the second half Mangwanani is a second movement of the first half known as Rugare |
66 | Rugare (Four Brothers) | Four Brothers for guitar and voice | Gary Goldwater | Adv | Wanda Walker | fortune | Rugare also means “peace” or “comfort.” | |
67 | Sarura Wako | Traditional children’s game based on a mating dance | Nathan Beck | Int | Nathan Beck | Wanda Walker | Choose who you want to be with | |
68 | Sekuru | Jacob Mafuleni | Beg + | Jacob Mafuleni | Gary Spalter | Grandfather leads us through the path in the forest. | ||
69 | Sekuru Joe | Dumisani Maraire | Int | Steven Golovnin | Gary Spalter | Uncle who is the town drunk | ||
70 | Shumba | Traditional mbira | Jake Roberts | Adv | Gary Spalter | Lion | ||
71 | Sikokiyana (also Skokiaan) | from August Msarurgwa‘s popular township jive song (circa 1950) | Musekiwa Chingodza | Beg + | Musekiwa Chingodza | Gary Spalter | Refers to home-brewed alcohol served in shebeens (illegal drinking houses) | "Skokiaan" is a popular tune originally written by Zimbabwean musician August Musarurwa in the "Tsaba-tsaba" big band-style. "Skokiaan" ("Chikokiyana" in Shona)[1] is an illegal self-made alcoholic beverage.[from Wikipedia] |
72 | Taireva Mbuya Nehanda | Traditional mbira | Wanda Walker | Adv | Wanda Walker | Based on the version taught by Musekiwa Chingodza. | ||
73 | Taireva or Taisireva | from the pasichigare mbira piece | Gary Goldwater | Adv | Wanda Walker | We used to tell you | ||
74 | Taireva or Taisireva | from the pasichigare mbira piece | Joel Lindstrom | Adv | Wanda Walker | We used to tell you | ||
75 | Tenda | Paul Mataruse | Int + | Paul Mataruse | Caleb Donahue | Shona for “give thanks” | ||
76 | Tipe Tizwe | Dumisani Maraire | Claire Jones | Int | Claire Jones | Maggie Donahue | Give me a taste. (Sexual teasing) | From Dumi‘s nyunga nyunga/karimba piece recorded on the Nonesuch album with Lora Chiora-Dye and his brother Nkosana. |
77 | Todzungaira | Traditional mbira | Jake Roberts | Adv | Jake Roberts | Wanda Walker | We are wandering/wondering (during a time of upheaval) | Refers to the suffering of people and the act of going to war. Some say it refers to a time when the Shona people were being pushed out of their homelands by the Zulu tribes coming up from southern Africa. |
78 | Todzungaira | Traditional mbira | Wanda Walker based on Jake Roberts‘ arr. | Beg + | Wanda Walker | Wanda Walker | We are wandering/wondering (during a time of upheaval) | A simplified version of Jake’s arrangement, using chords. |
79 | Tomutenda Mambo | Traditional mbira | Wanda Walker | Adv | Wanda Walker | Wanda Walker | “We thank the King.” “If we don’t grow food in our fields we will starve. Therefore, take the hoes and go to work (Torai mapadza kurima).” | Wanda‘s arrangement is based on singing and mbira lines taught by Musekiwa Chingodza and recorded on the CD of the same title, by Mhofela (Musekiwa Chingodza and Bud Cohen) |
80 | Torai Mapadza Kurima | Traditional | Gary Goldwater and Joe Bayana | Int | Wanda Walker | Pick up your hoes and let’s plow. Badza = hoe. | ||
81 | Track 12 | Michael Sibanda | Michael Sibanda | Adv | Mike Sibanda to Chapwititi | Caleb Donahue | Arranged in the style of hip hop music from South Africa, it is meant to evoke the fun and danceable melodies and rhythms of the genre | |
82 | Tsuro | Traditional | Sheasby Matiure | Beg | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | Wanda Walker | Tsuro means “rabbit” in Shona. The lyrics, “Tsuro, darika mutanda, mberiyo, darika mutanda” or “pass by the log ahead,” tell a little of the story about what the other animals in the forest are trying to tell the rabbit, for they have seen a hunter put a trap in the hole in the log. Does the rabbit listen? | Tsuro is a very fun, active call-and-response story song that can be fun for all ages and skill levels. It was taught to Mandy Walker-LaFollette by Sheasby Matiure as a song to teach listening skills. |
83 | Unozofa | Beauler Dyoko | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | Mandy Walker-LaFollette | “You will die.” An imperative to avoid the spread of AIDS. | |||
84 | Vamudhara | from a Shona shangara dance song | Dumisani Maraire, for voices; Gary Goldwater for marimba | Int | Gary Goldwater | Wanda Walker | about a man who drinks too much | Gary Goldwater arranged it in the New Songs Group based on the vocal lines in Judith Tucker’s book. Also widely known as Manyatera. |
85 | Vanhu Vatema | Thomas Mapfumo | Abel Mafuleni | Adv | Abel Mafuleni | Caleb Donahue | "The black people" | Thomas sings "If we all unite, we can do great things togehter" |
86 | Wadzana | Mandy Walker-LaFollette and Wanda Walker | Beg + | Mandy Walker-LaFollette and Wanda Walker | Wanda Walker | Community | ||
87 | Warigamukono | Traditional, based on the pasichigare mbira song Kariga Mombe | Dumisani Maraire | Int | Claire Jones | Maggie Donahue | bringing the bull to the earth. Wari = Kariga (difference in dialect). Mukono is Shona for bull. | Dumi‘s nickname growing up was Mukono because he was such a bull. |
88 | Zendekaiwa | from a very old Ngano song (a story song) | Dumisani Maraire | Int | Maggie Donahue | Maggie Donahue | Kumba kwambuya kwaita seiko - means something like “what has happened at the grandmother’s/mother-in-law’s house?” | Dumi categorized it as similar to highlife-style music. |
89 | Zomba | Traditional | Dumisani Maraire | Int | Claire Jones | Maggie Donahue | Zomba is a town in Malawi. | The arrangement has evolved over time with input from various people and groups |
90 | Zuva Ravira | Oliver Mtukudzi | Mike Sibanda | Int | Mike Sibanda @ Zimfest 2013 | Gary Spalter | The sun is setting, and a young man will get in trouble for being late. | Oliver Mtukudzi named the song Kunze Kwadoka. |
91 | Zvichapera | Traditional | Eric Miller | Adv+ | Mandy Walker-LaFollette and Jake Roberts | Wanda Walker | A prayerful song to end all suffering; "This suffering, when will it end?" | The lyrics by Patience Munjeri (who taught it on mavembe-tuned mbira as Mvirimbo) say “Our children are dying, mbira players are dying, of many diseases.” |
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