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Mhondoro is a traditional Karanga song from Zimbabwe. The song's 3/4 rhythm is called mhande, and it is used at rain making ceremonies. It speaks of the Mhondoro spirits who drink from the river Save - with later adaptations including the Zambezi river and others. This arrangement came to me shortly after my cousin’s passing. He drowned in a dam on his way home one night. As I sat in front of my marimba shortly after hearing the news of his death, from nowhere I started playing this arrangement. I could not understand why, but I later took it as the universe’s attempt at trying to tell me he was now in a better place, amongst the great ancestors of our land.

lyrics

Dzinonwa muna Zambezi (They drink from the river Zambezi)
Mhondoro dzinonwa (The Mhondoro spirits – they drink)

credits

from Mvura Ichanaya, released June 26, 2018
Soprano marimba: Otto Gumaelius
Tenor marimba: Karabo Sankoloba
Baritone marimba: Graham Knight & Otto Gumaelius
Drumkit: Sophia Mogapi
Congas: Otto Gumaelius
Djembe: Yusuf Legwabe
Hosho: Otto Gumaelius
Lead Vocals: Otto Gumaelius
Backing vocals: Karabo Sankoloba & Otto Gumaelius

Arrangement by Otto Gumaelius

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Otto And The Mutapa Calling London, UK

Otto & The Mutapa Calling is a London based marimba band playing joyful music from Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, including folk songs, original songs and popular southern African covers. The band's set-up includes soprano, tenor and baritone marimbas, mbira, hosho, drumming and singing, with traditional & contemporary dances. The marimba band’s sound is full of energy & pulsating rhythms. ... more

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