Mariama

Cassettes are important for the African market: they are easy to duplicate and play. Musically they are advantageous because often less concessions have to be made to western taste and pop influences. In this hour we will pay attention to the Mbira singles collection: a cassette from Zimbabwe with recordings from 45rpm singles with mbira music, that appeared on the label Shungu.The mbira is a lamellophone, a thumb piano. Traditionally mbira music was played during long nocturnal sessions, the bira, in which people got into a trance to get into contact with their ancestors, who where close to the gods. Also healing qualities are attributed to mbara music. Nowadays mbira music is also played at parties etc.