POETRY UBUNTU SERIES
Ubuntu Mbira
I am because you are
The wheels of the mp3 player turned
or maybe it was a disc in the tape machine
producing the most earthy
organic music I had ever heard,
Mbira, Ubuntu was the name of the Band and music.
The Mbira instrument,
rhythmically plucked metal keys
inside a hardwood bowl drum
for amplification.
Small drums along with gourd rattles
Accompanied by handclaps
providing the percussion,
rhythmical vocals sung
in an unfamiliar fashion
I had never come across before,
both eerie and beautiful.
The Mbira, “telephone to the spirits”
for advice, blessings and good crops,
also, to chase away bad spirits in this
beautiful music which amplifies the spirit
of the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
Ubuntu Meaning I am because you are.
James G Brennan 2021.
A shout out to Indubala Kachhawa who had highlighted the meaning of Ubuntu back in January, with “A Promising Dawn” which rekindled my interest in Mbira Ubuntu music.
This piece ‘Ubuntu Mbira’ is kicking off the Ubuntu series in the spirit of
“I am because you are”. A new title will be put forward each week. Next weeks title will be “Across Oceans of Hope.”Please feel free to join in these monthly series devised by Suntonu. Let’s see what we come up with.
Thank you as always to Suntonu Bhadra for giving my words a platform. 🙏
Thank you all for reading and your precious time. Always. J. 🙏✨
