Hera at Nyanhewe village Nov. 2016 - Kanotamba Mubani

Kanotamba Mubani (The little thing dancing in the veld) is performed by James Kamwaza, Mishek Nyamukuvhengu, and Emma Nyamukuvhengu. This is the Nyamukuvhengu family of Hera (aka matepe) players in Nyanhewe village, Rushinga, Zimbabwe. Mishek is son of the late legendary hera player and builder Josam Nyamukuvhengu, who passed last year in Aug. 2015. Emma Nyamukuvhengu was Josam's wife and is an amazingly talented singer. James Kamwaza is carrying on the art of Hera building in the style of Josam and is currently building beautiful instruments. Please visit the Nyamukuvhengu family in Nyanhewe if you are interested in learning to play Hera. (Posted with Permission of Nyamukuvhengu family) singing lines by Emma Nyamukuvhengu: Kunyangara kuuya kumwe nekumwe yarira mbira (ugliness is coming there and there, mbira is sounding) Ndogara kundogara zvangu (I stay that is what I’m doing) Kugara kuno kugarira rendi (to stay here, staying for the rent) Naibaba ndoenda kupi ndogara pano (Father where should I go? I stay here) Kanotamba mubani (something small dancing in the veld) Kana ndikafa ndoenda kupi ndoigwa pano (If I die where do I go? I get buried here) Kundidzinga ndoenda kupi ndogara pano (to chase me away, where do I go? I stay here) Kundogara kugarira rendi (I’m just staying here for the rent.) Ndachiona (I have seen it (I have felt the suffering)) Kugara kuno kundogara zvangu (to stay here that’s what I’m doing) Kugara kuno kugarira rendi (to stay here, staying for the rent) Yawe rombe (it’s now a fool) Rega urombo Changamire (Let the poverty (go) Chief) Mudzimu wandipa kupa humbarume (Ancestor spirit has caused me to give, great hunter) Wati kurarama kwapera kwasara kufa humbarume (you said leaving is over, what is left is to die, great hunter) Kunyangara kuuya kumwe nekumwe yarira mbira (Ugliness is coming there and there, mbira is sounding) Mhondoro dzine guhwa kungavanhu (the lion spirits are gossiping like human beings) Kuna njera wotokuya njera (separate (liquid from) the millet so you can grind the millet (for preparing beer)) Translation by: Kudakwashe Nyaruwabvu and Zack Moon