Chigwaya Mbira Piece Intensive

Description

Chigwaya is a piece from the over 1,000-year old Shona mbira repertoire played in ceremonies. It is specifically played in shave ceremonies to call njuzu (mermaid) spirits, believed to bring health, wealth, and powers of prophecy. Those with njuzu spirits are often herbalists. Chigwaya literally means bream, a type of fish, but symbolizes the mermaid. The song repeats “It plays in its river”, implying joy and delight in a time of plenty. This collection includes recordings from 1976 to 2014. [Total time: 72:28]