Students will learn a couple of Zimbabwean lullabies. Ona will teach Ewu-u-hwe-e, which she learned from Eveline Mauto on her last trip to Zimbabwe, and also the song Mwana Anga Aripano. One of Ona’s favorite feelings while in Africa was that of carrying a baby on her back. She will demonstrate how to wrap a baby onto her back and then help the class wrap their babies (or dolls, etc.) as they sing and practice the lullabies.

Ulamandla Bhubezi is a song that originates from Matabeleland (the Sibanda people) and is about how strong the Lion spirit (Ibhubezi) is. The Lion spirit is the totem for the Sibanda people. In spiritual rituals they sing to possess this spirit and call it closer to them.

Sheasby will teach the choral arrangement of this traditional song. Expect not only lovely harmonies but some catchy movements and fun.

Learn to sing with Jenny Muchumi’s favorite mbira song, Mahororo.

Lora leaves audiences wanting more whenever she performs. Her unique call-and-response method always makes everyone realize that they too can sing in harmony! In this class Lora takes that unique gift to engage students in learning some Shona songs, including some used to accompany marimba or mbira repertoire. In addition to teaching lyrics, Lora will also coach students on pronunciation, voice projection, and proper breathing. Her beautiful harmonies will leave participants wanting to sing along with the performers throughout the weekend!

Learn to hear mbira in a Shona way through singing what the mbira is playing. This workshop is especially recommended for new mbira players and their friends and family, but all are welcome. Experience pre-Iron Age mbira with your voice.

Learn to sing with the mbira song Ndodzungaira, also known as Tadzungaira and Murooro.

This workshop will introduce contemporary choral music of Zimbabwe, including gospel and traditional music in both Shona and Ndebele. Makwayera ("choir") is an African style of choral singing that native Zimbabweans developed by combining elements of their traditional vocal music with the western four-part harmony brought to the region by missionaries.

If you have heard Mawungira Enharira’s albums, you know how powerful their singing is. In this workshop students will learn some lyrics from their repertoire under the direction of Wilfred Mafrika, their lead singer.

Learn to sing this important traditional Shona song, which is sung with or without mbira both in funeral processions and at kurova guva (the ceremony to bring the spirit of someone who died a year ago back to the family and community). Lyrics from various people will be included. If students have taken this workshop before, they will enjoy it again as many new lyrics will be added. Makwa (the handclapping pattern) will also be taught.

Jiti is an all-night celebration with singing, hosho, dance, and drums. Peacheson and Tonderai will teach some Jiti singing and dancing, giving students a feeling of the party atmosphere in the villages of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is blessed with diverse tribal and cultural groups. Loveness will teach some Sotho songs and dance movements to broaden your horizon of the Zimbabwean cultural arts landscape. Although the Sotho people are more prevalent in South Africa and Lesotho, their music and culture stretches as far north as Zimbabwe and, though similar to Ndebele repertoire, it does have significant differences.

Loveness will share the music and dance of the Venda people, a smaller tribal group from Zimbabwe. Their music is richly textured and their dances are highly energetic. Come expand your understanding of Zimbabwean music!