The Mbira Series: Njari - Karanga Songs in Christian Ceremonies
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Extract 2
Extract 3
1977
0:26:00
Zimbabwe
This film is an impressionistic portrait of njari player Simon Mashoko, who has adapted mbira music for use in Christian ceremonies.
Physical formats available:
16mm
Digital formats available:
Quicktime (Pro Res)
Audio & visual:
Sound,
Color
The njari is a less common type of mbira, one with more keys, and the Karanga are an ethnic group related to the Shona. This film is an impressionistic portrait of njari player Simon Mashoko, who has adapted mbira music for use in Christian ceremonies.
The film contrasts Mashoko’s role as a performer of traditional shave (p. SHA-veh) songs for Karanga beer parties and dances with his role as a rural Catholic deacon who conducts catechism classes and Sunday services.
Producer:
Gei Zantzinger (University of Pennsylvania Museum)
Director:
Andrew Tracey (International Library of African Music)
Camera:
Les Blank
Sound:
Gei Zantzinger
Editor:
Conley Benfield
Field Research Assistant:
Rosemary Logie
Field Engineer:
Bud Huggler
Collection
Constant Spring Productions
(18)
Ethnomusicologist Gei Zantzinger was an independent filmmaker and student of folklore who began making films in Africa in 1966, collaborating with musicians and other notable ethnomusicologists and filmmakers. His career in the social sciences spanned nearly 50 years.
Gei’s efforts resulted in a broad collection of 17 extraordinary films made between 1966 and 1997 that examine the roles that oral traditions, music and dance play in preserving and informing personal, cultural and spiritual identity in disparate communities around the world.
Collection
Music and Dance
(61)
Global selection of music and dance films and titles.
