Cho Kurima Woye

A Shona Multipart song from the Time of Starvation (pre-1900) Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe, pre-1900s: A time of severe drought and the tribes were differing in how to handle it. It was common for tribes from neighboring areas to come to Zimbabwe and beg for food by singing and dancing. One tribe in Zimbabwe had a different solution: the farmers always kept part of their crop and offered part to the Chief, who had large storehouses. In times of need, a family could come make a withdrawal from their accumulated offerings in order to feed themselves; there was no stigma or shame attached to this, and it prevented the tribe from having to sing and dance to beg for food.

This song is in 9/8 – don’t try to count it. Just feel it.

Section one: (stagger your breathing with other members of this section)

Njanga njanga nge dze Vatonga, Njanga njanga nge dze Vatonga

(Jahn-gah jahn-gah ged-zay vah-tohn-gah)

Section two: 

Tisu ne ma dirando, Tisu ne ma dirando

(Tee-soo ney-mah deer-ahn-doh)

Section three:

Ndi mambo-o, Ndi mambo-o

(Dee mahm-boh-oh)

Sections four and five:

Cho kurima woye cho kurima, Cho kurima woye cho kurima

(Choh koo-ree-mah woh-yay)

ALL:  Right Click and Select “Save Link As” to Download

Njanga (low/bass): Right Click and Select “Save Link As” to Download

Tisu ne ma (midlow/tenor): Right Click and Select “Save Link As” to Download

Ndi mambo-o (midhigh/alto): Right Click and Select “Save Link As” to Download

Cho kurima woye (high/soprano): Right Click and Select “Save Link As” to Download

Cho kurima woye harmony (high/soprano): Right Click and Select “Save Link As” to Download