Ancient Mbira Music of Zimbabwe: ‘Samaita’ Vitalis Botsa

Zimbabwean master musician ‘Samaita’ Vitalis Botsa creates gorgeous waves of sound with his mbira to connect the living with the ancestors. He says, “I’m just the car, it’s the spirits doing the driving, making the music.” Botsa is visiting from his village in Zimbabwe to tour playing duets with Erica Azim, presenting a very traditional form of the sacred music played in Zimbabwe for over 1,000 years.

Mbira is a musical instrument with metal keys plucked by two thumbs and one forefinger, creating relaxing yet invigorating polyphony and polyrhythm. Musicians play interlocking parts, and the tradition includes vast improvisation. Century after century, the mbira instrument and its repertoire of classic songs have been used in Zimbabwe to heal the sick and call family ancestors and powerful tribal guardian spirits to earth to help the living, in night-long to week- long ceremonies. Every time the mbira is played, it is considered a prayer to the ancestors, which will result in their protection of the living.

Samaita Botsa's US tour is sponsored by the non-profit organization MBIRA which supports over 300 traditional musicians and instrument makers in Zimbabwe.

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