July 2004
The second song on the his CD is just killing me; the heavy rhythm and the
rich booming voice and lyrics ignite in me a yearning and longing for that sweetness from the distant bygone past in my beloved homeland; the swift flow of the fresh smelling water of the Lundazi river.
My grandmother NyaMwaza calling for us and her voice echoing in the tall trees of the nkhorongo wilderness where njiba wild pigeons sing all day. It’s a tearful yearning for a carefree past; a life and sweet land that my grandfather left for us at Zibalwe and all the 17 seventeen villages; Mtema, Kapyanga, Chipewa and many others.
I can’t help but dance. This music will stir both your soul and spirit. You may need ti wipe your tears with the back of your hand; a few tears will flow.
Three of the songs may touch those taut cords in your soul in this manner. The Tumbuka may say: nyimbo yudinginyika. Closest translation being that the song “whines” or “bemoans”. English sometimes is so inadequate. Tuku music is actually a descendant of the Mbira music from the Shona. Have you ever listened to the original Mbira as recorded from Rhodesia Highfields?