We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Mutende Mizimu. Vimbuza from Mzimba North

by Doctor Kanuska Group

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      €7 EUR  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    100 copies, ecopack with detailed note and artwork of Wojciech Kucharczyk

    Includes unlimited streaming of Mutende Mizimu. Vimbuza from Mzimba North via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    edition of 100 
    Purchasable with gift card

      €9 EUR or more 

     

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

about

1000HZ Records Sacral Grooves

Vimbuza is a kind of rhythm, song, dance, illness, spirit, therapy and state of possession. The phenomenon is widespread in northern Malawi, particularly in the Mzimba and Rumphi districts. Although vimbuza figures on the official UNESCO World Heritage List (in the section of local medical practices), it continues to exist mainly as a night spiritual dance in home temples. For many newborn Christians (and those with an old-school missionary zeal), on the other hand, vimbuza is both an embarrassing relic and a dangerous form of satanic worship. They treat vimbuza people with anathema and exorcism. Vimbuza doctors confided to me, however, that some pastors come incognito at night, asking for African medicines.

The Kanuska Group used 3 drums (ng'oma), with the lead drum playing rhythmic variations in line with the steps of the possessed dancing. The drums were embellished with the sound of rattles made of tin cans and corn grains, a metal belt on the hips of the dancer and the clapping of the whole crowd. In the cramped room of the thempili, the sound had an almost physical effect, like a vibrating wave covering the dancer. The songs were intoned by dancers or, as some might say, by spirits riding on the people dancing.

This album, however, does not represent a cultural phenomenon, but rather the unique mastery of a group of performers. Vimbuza expert Emmanuel Ngwira (from the Kukaya Band) has said that beautiful songs entice spirits and help patients to be healed. Knowing this, I listen to this music as to a powerful concert, in which there is no division between performers and audiences, and in which the most important participants remain invisible.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

As a child, Doctor Kanuska was called Linda. In second grade, she began to be troubled by nightmares. Later, while at school, she heard her teachers' thoughts about quarrels that they had had at their homes. The teachers called her parents suggesting that the girl had gone mad, but an African doctor (sing'anga) diagnosed that she was possessed by the spirits of ancestors who had passed away a long time ago. It was then that she danced vimbuza for the first time.

It was a number of years later that she began to lead her drumming band, after one of her daughters was attacked by a bird who grabbed a piece of cloth from her attire and flew away. Mrs. Msowoya learned from spirits that this was a bad charm sent by a neighbor. She built a temple and gathered drummers to be able to talk to her ancestors and obtain medicines from them to protect her house from attacks by this witch. Her neighbor, trying to assault her house at night, was stopped by magic protection. Powerless, he died soon after, but Msowoya’s daughter Lucy also died. Msowoya then received the nickname Kanuska - she who sniffs out bad charms.

Now, she is a respected figure in the mountain villages of North Mzimba. She specializes in the treatment of women's diseases and plans to build an African maternity hospital. The drummers in her group are her son Thomas (the only one of her five children still alive), her orphaned nephew Maclean, her patients, and the singers are patients and family members, supported by the choir of the African church of Chipangano from the village of Katokole.

These recordings were produced during several vimbuza ceremonies between May and September 2019. The songs have been mixed to give the impression of participating in a service. The ceremonies usually continued throughout a whole night, and consisted of a series of subsequent dances - first by Doctor Kanuska, and then by her students and patients. The climax was the ceremonial conversation with the spirit excited by the music (Track 11).

credits

released July 1, 2020

Drums: Thomas Mnthali, Maclean Nyasulu, Raphael Banda, Bydon Mnthali, Anton Banda, Chancy Nyilenda and Zondi Mhango.

Voices: Mapiri Sichinga, Kaweluwelu Chiumia, Chiweza Nyamusumba, Anyashonga Anyambuye, Anyakumwenda, Ester Mtonga, Loisi Phiri, Chimwemwe Mvalo, Joyce Chavula, Win Nyilenda, Chimwemwe Chiwaka, Collina Chiwaka, Solan Kumwenda, Anyausowoya, Enevie Mhon, Anyamuzimu, Anyachimaliro, Kwin Chiumia and Chipangano Choir Katokole directed by Raphael Banda and Yamikani Nyone

Recorded and mixed by Piotr Dang Cichocki
Photo by Piotr Dang Cichocki
Cover design by Wojciech Kucharczyk

Acknowledgements to Peter Kaunda and his family, Andy Owen Newa and Hubert Bartkowiak.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Sacral Grooves 1000HZ Warsaw, Poland

"Sacral grooves" series is curated by 1000HZ Records. It presents music performed for non-human beings: spirits, deities, animated loci. We start with recordings from Northern Region of Malawi.

contact / help

Contact Sacral Grooves 1000HZ

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Mutende Mizimu. Vimbuza from Mzimba North, you may also like: