In Africa songs have continuously played an important role in shaping social relationships. In early oral societies songs, dance and performance embodied the people's aspirations and expectations. Africans graced almost all occasions with songs and dance.  The music summarised the experiences of a whole people and were communally owned and enjoyed. It was the music of the people, about the people and by the people themselves.

The "traditional" music of Zimbabwe shows people's spiritual beliefs, expression, communication and forms of entertainment, in as much as their present day popular music reveals a lot about the people's present lives and past experiences.  Traditional Shona songs were a medium of instruction through which young boys and girls were taught the values and expectations of adulthood. All social relationships were sealed, bonded and regulated through songs. Through songs, a daughter-in-law would express her bitterness against a horrible mother-in-law, a bitter wife against a greedy husband, and the whole community would protest against an unjust chief, hence there is a tradition of Shona protest songs." There were songs to praise, urge, ridicule and reprimand. Most communication strategies in the pre-literate and oral African societies were musical in one way or another.

Marimba- A large xylophone like instrument.

Mbira- Thumb piano with rows of hand-forged metal keys.

Drums- Hand made and intricately carved, the skin is cowhide.

I have listened to a song called Ingoma Yakwethu which has is a traditional vocal only song.  The song has lots of rhythm and harmonies is typical of this sort of music from Zimbabwe.

To listen to the music click here

Taireva- This is a traditional song with Mbira accompaniment.