What is Bira in Shona?
Bira is an all-night ritual, celebrated by Shona people from Zimbabwe in which members of an extended family call on ancestral spirits for guidance and intercession. Shona people believe that the only ones who can communicate with both the living and God are the ancestral spirits, or dzavadzimu.
What is the name of the instrument that the Shona use during possession ceremonies?
In Shona music, the mbira dzavadzimu (“voice of the ancestors”, or “mbira of the ancestral spirits”, national instrument of Zimbabwe) is a musical instrument that has been played by the Shona people of Zimbabwe for thousands of years.
What happens at a Bira ceremony?
At the bira ceremony people come together to enjoy each others company, dance, sing and play music, pay respects and speak to their ancestors. One or more spirit mediums will be present to channel the voices of the ancestor spirits to the people. Often there are many people attending the ceremony of all ages.
Why is the Kurova GUVA ceremony important?
The purpose of kurova guva is to bring back the spirit of the deceased from the grave to his hut to be in the midst of his descendants. At the end of the ceremony when the spirit is back in his home the nhaka ritual takes place.
What is Kurova GUVA?
Kurova guva also known in other terms as magadziro or kuchenura, bira, umbuyiso (appeasement of the dead) is a cultural rite that has been practiced in rural Zimbabwe since time immemorial for central purpose of accepting and welcoming back to the family the deceased’s spirit ‘mudzimu’, ‘idlozi’ as it will be regarded …
Where are the bira held?
Bira typically take place in a traditional circular hut such as the kitchen in a family compound.
Is kalimba a real instrument?
The African thumb piano, or kalimba (also called by other names) is an unusual percussion instrument consisting of a number of thin metal blades (keys) mounted on a soundbox or soundboard.
Who invented the kalimba?
Hugh Tracey
The kalimba is actually a smaller, modern version of the mbira, which dates back more than 1,000 years in Zimbabwe. The kalimba was created by Hugh Tracey in the 1960s. Tracey liked the sound of the mbiras he heard while living in what is now Zimbabwe but wanted to create an adaptation better suited for Western music.
What are some Zimbabwe traditions?
Zimbabwe Tradition uses the mbira to govern the weather in times such as droughts and floods. It also chases away harmful spirits and cures sickness. The mbira is used in all celebrations, such as weddings and the installation of new chiefs, as well as death ceremonies.
What is the Shona religion?
Religion: The Shona religion is a blend of monotheism and veneration of ancestors. The creator god, Mwari, is omnipotent but also remote; ancestors and other spirits serve as intermediaries between Mwari and the people.
What happens at the Kurova guva ceremony?
On the seventh night we, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, children, nieces, and nephews call the spirit home through clapping, drumming, playing of the mbira, and dancing to bring our loved one back home, awakening the night with music played for spirit ears.
What is Kurova guva in Shona?
Kurova guva is done six months to two years after burial. This religious practice has its origins in Shona people’s traditional beliefs. The ritual is performed for the departed spirit to be brought home, so it does not wander around.