Metadata!
Below is a list of matepe, madhebe and hera recordings by Hugh Tracey, Andrew Tracey and Curt Wittig that are available at the International Library of African Music. The format is simple: track reference number followed by the song name and the names of the musicians featured. The tracks are organized by recording session that specify the main instrument(s) as well as when and where the music was recorded.
In a recent publication (available here) I claim there are approximately 35 tracks of matepe music housed at the International Library of African Music, but here clearly you can see there are over four times that amount. This data set is a product of over two months of work digging through the archives at ILAM in Grahamstown, South Africa in an attempt to compile all of their available recordings of matepe mbira.
The initial 35 or so tracks were relatively easy to find. Zack and I were able to use ILAM’s online database to locate and acquire them during a short visit in July 2014. The method of adding to this list was difficult and time consuming because there is no single searchable database that exists (on- or offline), but rather a tangle of digital and paper files, field cards and photos tucked away in boxes and shelves throughout the building that one must sort through individually to uncover their contents. The track numbers are of course separate bits of information from the track details (who/what/when/where, etc), complicated by multiple numbering systems that correspond to different versions of a single track. For instance, the numbers below that begin with “AC0-” are acetate copies of the original. “HTFT-” refers to the original version of a Hugh Tracey Field Recording, but sometimes these no longer exist. There may also be “TP-” or test pressings of the originals and/or “CR-” or commercial recordings that are edited versions intended for commercial release. “TR” and “MOA” are tracks from ILAM’s Sound of Africa and Music of Africa series, respectively, but these compilations are selected tracks of other recording sessions. One can locate these other recording sessions by diving into cold storage for a few hours with all of the details in mind in order to match them to the originals (i.e. you have to physically look through reels and tapes to do this). If you use these track numbers as references to obtain these recordings from ILAM, opt for the versions that begin with “TR” or “CR” because they have been mixed and mastered and just sound better.
The couple of months we spent searching for these materials could have easily been stretched into years if we had embarked on this research before 2012. Nearly every bit of tape and scrap of paper has been cataloged and accounted for and ILAM personnel are hard at work trying to shape this vast sea of data into a manageable system for easy access. Much of this was made possible by the leadership of Dr. Diane Thram and her keen grant writing abilities as well as the expert skills of sound engineer Elijah Madiba. There are likely still odds and ends, transcriptions and recordings that have yet to make it into the safety of cold storage, but as for what is in the archive now, one incredible feat is that everything has been digitized.
This phrase we often heard carried with it the relaxation and security of a lullaby. everything. has. been. digitized. No need to worry about the crumbling mass of reel to reel tape because it’s all somewhere in the land of zeros and ones, safe on archive computers, a certain pile of hard drives and various university servers. Once Zack and I were able to compile a list of recordings and photographs, within hours the whole thing was neatly sorted on our computer in a little manila digi-folder titled “Joss and Ziggy”. Once we acquired these tracks the work of sorting and naming them began, so HTFT770-S9-S2F1 doesn’t have to be a random guessing game of what do you hear and let me look through some impossible list to figure it out, but rather to know at a glance that it is a solo version of Washora Mambo played by Saini Madera back in June of 1969.
Since Zack and I have settled into our new place in Harare, we have been without internet access save a few bucks towards checking email and communicating through Whatsapp messages on our phones. The beginning of the heavy summer rains and a truck-in-repair has also kept us at home for a good number of days. In the absence of wifi, the opportunity was presented to instead sort through the incredible pile of data we acquired from ILAM. The list we put together below is only a portion of that information; A neat and tidy version of a spread sheet of over 400 tracks of music and 250 photographs from NE Zimbabwe and adjacent areas in central Mozambique and Malawi. In order to narrow the scope of the list, I tried to include only matepe, madhebe and hera mbira tracks, with the inevitable karimba recording sprinkled in to the mix (Karimba played for Mhondoro spirits, to be more precise).
The data set is not perfect. The boundaries of this set are somewhat arbitrary, as discussed in my last post. The spelling is inconsistent and there are a few tracks missing because we were unable to locate any information about them. These characteristics, however, reflect the nature of the work. Spellings change, especially when comparing song titles and place names of tracks from the 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s, during which time chiShona in its written form became standardized. There may be some misspellings as well, as student workers and other data crunchers at the archive may change names and words inadvertently. Zack and I may also do this, as we are not well versed in Shona or Tonga or other languages represented in these songs. Places change, too, for instance Mutoko/Mtoko District as defined 50 years ago is not the same as Mutoko District today. Recording sessions listed may have been at a store or a hotel some distance from where the players actually resided. A reel may begin in Mozambique one morning and end in Zimbabwe a week later. The names of wives, children, vocalists and rattle players are not always recorded. Sometimes it is not specified who plays what on the recording. It is also difficult to read faded blue ink written decades ago on a paper label.
In short, the information here needs interpretation and the input of culture bearers who know this music best. This list is meant for you, the reader, so you may also benefit from the many hours of our time spent searching through the archives. The reference number can be used to access/acquire these recordings directly from ILAM so you may enjoy these little pieces of history and this incredible music.
Madhebe: 20 May 1933, Mutoko, Zimbabwe
TP4094B “Ndonda” by Kadori
TP4095A “Ndonda” by Kadori and Karinungu
Madhebe: 26 April 1948, Charehwa’s Village, Mtoko District
AC0148-AM1 “Donda Chawane Mauyo” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Bambu Sotora (hosho) and six others AC0148-AM2 “Donda Chawane Mauyo” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Bambu Sotora (hosho) and six others
AC0150-AM3 “Donda Chawane Mauyo” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Bambu Sotora (hosho) and six others
AC0150-AM4 “Chimusoro / Chimugwende” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Bambu Sotora (hosho) and six others
AC0152-AM5 “Kwendaenda Shirega Chiwaya” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Bambu Sotora (hosho) and six others
AC0152-AM6 “Samuchima cha Mondoro” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Bambu Sotora (hosho) and six others
AC0149-AM7 “Marume Oshore Mambo” by Hodzi Katsukunyra, Jojo Charewa and Bambu Sotora
AC0149-AM8 “Musengu cha Mondoro” by Jaji Charehwa Jana Charehwa
AC0151-AM9 “Tsikidzi” by Hodzi Katsukunya and Bambu Sotora
AC0151-AM10 “Shanje” by Hodzi Katsukunya and Bambu Sotora
AC0154-AM11 “Pfeni” by Hodzi Katsukunya and Bambu Sotora
AC0154-AM12 “Kuenda Huwerera” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Bambu Sotora (hosho) and six other musicians
AC0155-AM13 “Mutambiro wehuku” by Hodzi Katsukunya and Bambu Sotora
AC0155-AM14 “Mutambiro wehuku” by Hodzi Katsukunya and Bambu Sotora
AC0156-AM15 “Deri” by Hodzi Katsukunya and Bambu Sotora.
Hera: 20 September 1949, Regulo Solgado, Tete, Mozambique
HTFT117-C135-C5R9 “Baba Ndilibe Mai Ndilibe” by Simbi Wezeka Malaki and 2 blind women
HTFT117-C135-C5R10 “Wampeleka Yekwa Bayako” by Simbi Wezeka Malaki and 2 blind women
Madhebe: 23 September 1949, Charewa, Mtoko District, Zimbabwe
AC0865-C5U4 “Chimusoro” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Jojo Charehwa and 3 others
AC0865-C5U5 “Chiwayawaya” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Jojo Charehwa and 3 others
TP1087-XYZT4396 “Chongawi Chakadembo” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Jojo Charehwa and 3 others
TP1088-XYZT4397 “Samuchima” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Jojo Charehwa and 3 others
TP1089-XYZT4398 “Kwendaenda Chirega” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Jojo Charehwa and 3 others
TP1090-XYZT4399 “Donda Chawane Mauyo” by Hodzi Katsukunya, Jojo Charehwa and 3 others
HTFT121-C139-C5U10 (CR3559-GE1129-XYZT4400) “Tsikidzi” by Hodzi Katsukunya and Chikari Mususa
CR3557-GE1128-XYZT4401 “Dekunde” by Chikari Mususa
CR3562-GE1130-XYZT4402 “Pfeni” by Hodzi Katsukunya
CR3557-GE1128-XYZT4403 “Maria” by Chikari Mususa
HTFT121-C139-C5U14 (CR3559-GE1129-XYZT4404) “Mutambiro wehuku” by Hodzi Katsukunya
CR3562-GE1130-XYZT4405 “Shanji” by Hodzi Katsukunya
Matepe: 21 May 1958, Goromonzi Camp, Mkota, Mtoko
TR91-13 “Marume Washora Mambo” by Saini Murira, Chigaipa Madzikawinga and Zhogi Muzengedza
TR91-14 “Kari Muchipfuwa Kana Ziwa ne Mwene Wako” by Saini Murira, Chigaipa Madzikawinga, Zhogi Muzengedza and Saini Madera (drum)
TR91-15 “Musengu” by Saini Murira, Chigaipa Madzikawinga and Zhogi Muzengedza
HTFT587-M59-M3E13 “Waroiya Mwana” by Saini Murira, Chingaipa Madzikuminga, Zhogi Muzengedza and Saini Madera (drum)
TR91-11 “Siti, Musikana Adadeka” by Saini Murira, Chingaipa Madzikuminga, Zhogi Muzengedza and Saini Madera (drum)
TR85-09 “Waramba Ukama” by Saini Murira, Chingaipa Madzikuminga, Zhogi Muzengedza and Saini Madera (drum)
TR85-10 “Endai Kwenyu Watonga Usare Machinda” Saini Murira, Chingaipa Madzikuminga, Zhogi Muzengedza and Saini Madera (drum)
TR91-12 “Ndicha Girita Pano Mufare Mufare” by Saini Murira, Chingaipa Madzikuminga, Zhogi Muzengedza and Saini Madera (drum)
HTFT587-M59-M3E18 “Nyamutosa Chimbo Cha Gotosa” by Saini Murira, Chingaipa Madzikuminga, Zhogi Muzengedza and Saini Madera (drum)
TR85-01 “Musengu” by Saini Murira, Chingaipa Madzikuminga, Zhogi Muzengedza and Saini Madera (drum)
Madhebe: 9 June 1969, Mutoko, Zimbabwe
HTFT763-S.2-S2C.1 “Ndonda” by Jojo Kamwaza Charehwa and family
HTFT763-S.2-S2C.2 (AMA. TR213- A3) “Ndozvitawo” by Jojo Kamwaza Charehwa and family
HTFT764-S.3-S2C.3 “Chimbo Chebere” by Jojo Kamwaza Charehwa and family
HTFT764-S.3-S2C.4 “Ndashaya Andidenha” by Jojo Kamwaza Charehwa and family
HTFT764-S.3-S2C.5 (TR213-A4) “Nyarara Uchazviona” by Jojo Kamwaza Charehwa and family
HTFT764-S.3-S2C.6 “Watsanga Mutombwi Nganga/ N'anga” by Jojo Kamwaza Charehwa and family
Matepe: 10 & 11 June 1969, Chikonyora’s store, Msau, Mkota, Mutoko, Zimbabwe
HTFT765-S.4-S2D.1 (TR212- B2) “Karimuchipfuwa Kanaziwa Nemwene Wako” by Saini Madera, Saini Murira, Nyakapunha and Josefa Kapsvairo; Simbi Karimansenga, Timoti (vocalists) and group
HTFT765-S.4-S2D.2 “Vano Vako Vakapera” by Saini Madera, Saini Murira, Nyakapunha and Josefa Kapsvairo
HTFT765-S.4-S2D.3 (TR212-A3) “Rega Kurakana Bza Dzuro” by Saini Madera, Saini Murira, Nyakapunha and Josefa Kapsvairo; Simbi Karimansenga, Timoti (vocalists) and group
HTFT766-S.5-S2D.4 (TR212-A2) “Aroyiwa Mwana” by Saini Madera, Saini Murira and Nyakapunha; Simbi Karimansenga, Timoti (vocalists) and group
HTFT766-S.5-S2D.5 (AMA. TR212- A1) “Siti, Musikana Akanaka” by Saini Madera, Saini Murira, and Nyakapunha; Simbi Karimansenga, Timoti (vocalists) and group
HTFT766-S.5-S2D.6a (TR213-B6) “Kari Muchipfuwa 1” by Saini Madera
HTFT766-S.5-S2D.6b (TR213-B2) “Aroyiwa Mwana 1” by Saini Madera
HTFT767-S6-S2D7 (TR212-B1) “Msengu” by Saini Madera, Saini Murira and Nyakapunha; Simbi Karimansenga (vocalist) and group
HTFT767-S6-S2D8 (AMA. TR213- B9) “Marume Ashora Mambo” Saini Madera, Saini Murira, Nyakapunha and Thomas Dzamwarira; Simbi Karimansenga, Timoti (vocalists) and group
HTFT768-S7-S2D9 “Waiwona Kupi Nzou Inodya Mushonga Kana Uwe” by Saini Madera, Saini Murira, Nyakapunha and Thomas Dzamwarira
HTFT768-S7-S2D10 (TR212-B3) “Kana Mano, Pasi Paenda” by Saini Madera, Saini Murira, Nyakapunha and Thomas Dzamwarira; Simbi Karimansenga (vocalist) and group
12-Jun-69, Magohoto, Mkota, Mutoko District, Zimbabwe, Matepe
HTFT768-S7-S2D11 (TR213-B3) “Aroyiwa Mwana 2” by Saini Madera
HTFT768-S7-S2D12 (TR213-B4) “Rega Kurakana Bza Dzuro” by Saini Madera
HTFT768-S7-S2D13 (TR213-B1) “Siti” by Saini Madera
HTFT769-S8-S2D15 (TR213-B5) “Msengu” by Saini Madera
HTFT769-S8-S2D16 “Chirangei”/“Chimunhu Chinonetsa Umwe” by Saini Madera
Matepe and Karimba: 13 June 1969, Nyamapanda, Mutoko District, Zimbabwe
HTFT769-S8-S2E1 “Siti” by Chief Goronga, Johani Chiyeha (karimba) and Sinati Kadende (lead vocals and rattle)
HTFT769-S8-S2E2 (TR213-A2) “Kadyahove” by Johani Chiyeha Bandeira (karimba), Thomas Dzamwarira Soko (matepe) and Sinati Kadende (lead vocals and rattle)
HTFT770-S9-S2E3 “Kunyangara Kwawo Marembe” by Johani Chiyeha Bandeira (karimba) and Sinati Kadende (lead vocals and rattle)
HTFT770-S9-S2E4 (TR213-A1) “Kari Muchipfuwa Kanaziwa ne Mwene Wako” by Johani Chiyeha Bandeira (karimba) Thomas Dzamwarira Soko (matepe) and Sinati Kadende (lead vocals and rattle)
Matepe: 16 June 1969, Magohoto, Mkota, Mutoko District, Zimbabwe
HTFT770-S9-S2F1 “Marume Ashora Mambo” by Saini Madera
HTFT770-S9-S2F2 (TR213-B7) “Kari Muchipfuwa” by Saini Madera
HTFT770-S9-S2F3 (TR213-B8) “Kana Mano” by Saini Madera
Matepe: 17 & 18 May 1970, Magohoto, Mkota, Mutoko District, Zimbabwe
HTFT780-T1-T1A1 “Siti II” by Saini Madera
HTFT780-T1-T1A3 “Msengu II” by Saini Madera
HTFT780-T1-T1A4 “Marume Ashora Mambo” by Saini Madera
HTFT780-T1-T1A5 “Ngororombe” (playing the sound of the ngororombe) by Saini Madera
HTFT781-T2-T1A6 “Chirangeni” by Saini Madera
HTFT781-T2-T1A7 “Waiwona Kupi Nzou Inodya Mushonga” by Saini Madera
Matepe: 20 May 1970, Nyamupfunde, Mkota, Mutoko District, Zimbabwe
HTFT781-T2-T1B1 “Siti” by Kafangandiwe and Saini Murira
HTFT781-T2-T1B2 “Msengu” by Kafangandiwe and Saini Murira
HTFT781-T2-T1B3 “Kari Muchipfuwa” by Kafangandiwe and Saini Murira
HTFT781-T2-T1B4 “Waroya Mwana” by Kafangandiwe and Saini Murira
Hera: 25 May 1970, Goba near Tete, Mozambique
HTFT783-T4-T1F1 “Chenjera Pusa, Munzadziwona Nsiku Dzakawanda” by Adolf Almeida
Hera: 26 May 1970, Goba, near Tete, Mozambique
HTFT785-T6-T1H2a,b,c “(Ku)tambura Kwa Nyasa” by Fernando Trakinu Chavungwa
Hera: 29 May 1970, Chioco, Tete, Mozambique
HTFT788-T9-T1K1 “Darai Romba I” by Raisi Soza and his wife
HTFT789-T10-T1K2 “Darai Romba II” by Raisi Soza and his wife
HTFT789-T10-T1K3 “Mbopa Oranda” by Raisi Soza and his wife
HTFT789-T10-T1K4 “Pamuromo/Shanje” by Raisi Soza and his wife
HTFT789-T10-T1K5 “Siti” by Raisi Soza and his wife
HTFT789-T10-T1K6 “Amai Wako Auya” by Goma KaChipapa
HTFT789-T10-T1K7 “Nparakanda” by Goma KaChipapa
Hera: 18 June 1970, Marymount Mission, Zimbabwe
HTFT792-T14-T1O2 “Muparaganda” by Samsen Chabirika, Kenias Tauro and Josam Nyamkuvhengu
HTFT792-T14-T1O3 “Kanotamba Mbani” by Samsen Chabirika, Kenias Tauro and Josam Nyamkuvhengu
HTFT792-T14-T1O4 “Pasi Panodya” by Samsen Chabirika, Kenias Tauro and Josam Nyamkuvhengu
HTFT793-T15-T1O5 “KuvaChenjedza” by Samsen Chabirika, Kenias Tauro, Josam Nyamkuvhengu and his wife, Chaka Chawasarira and Nyamjekete Kapondo
HTFT793-T15-T1O6 “Dairai Romba” by Samsen Chabirika, Kenias Tauro, Josam Nyamkuvhengu and his wife, Chaka Chawasarira and Nyamjekete Kapondo
Hera and 1 Karimba: 19 June 1970, Maymount Mission, Zimbabwe
HTFT793-T15-T1P1 “Marume Azere Dare” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi, Chaka Chawasarira and Raisoni Kanakombizi
HTFT794-T16-T1P2 “Mwana Wa Mambo Haanodarwo” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi, Chaka Chawasarira and Raisoni Kanakombizi
HTFT794-T16-T1P3 “Musumbo Woderere” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi, Chaka Chawasarira and Raisoni Kanakombizi
HTFT794-T16-T1P4 “Kwa Msengu” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi, Chaka Chawasarira and Raisoni Kanakombizi
HTFT794-T16-T1P5 “Kuva Chenjedza” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi, Chaka Chawasarira and Raisoni Kanakombizi
Hera and Karimba: 21 June 1970, Maymount Mission, Zimbabwe
HTFT795-T17-T1Q1 “Kuva Chenjedza” by Raisoni Kanako Mbizi (karimba) and Dick Bobo Kadangerana (vocals)
HTFT795-T17-T1Q2 “Kanotamba Mbani” by Raisoni Kanako Mbizi (karimba) and Dick Bobo Kadangerana
HTFT795-T17-T1Q3 “Musumbo Wonderere” by Raisoni Kanako Mbizi (karimba) and Dick Bobo Kadangerana
HTFT795-T17-T1Q4 “Murume Azere Dare/Chiendai Kwenyu VaTonga” by Raisoni Kanako Mbizi (karimba) and Dick Bobo Kadangerana
HTFT795-T17-T1Q5 “Mwana Wa Mambo Haanodarwo” by Raisoni Kanako mbizi (karimba) and Dick Bobo Kadangerana
HTFT795-T17-T1R1 “Mwana wa Mambo I” by Matias Chidavaenzi & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT795-T17-T1R2 “Mwana wa Mambo II” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT795-T17-T1R3 “Mwana wa Mambo III” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT795-T17-T1R4 “KuvaChenjedza I” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT795-T17-T1R5 “KuvaChenjedza II” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT796-T18-T1R6 “KuvaChenjedza III” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT796-T18-T1R7 “KwaMsengu I” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT796-T18-T1R8 “KwaMsengu II” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT796-T18-T1R9 “KwaMsengu III” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT796-T18-T1R10 “Marume I” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT796-T18-T1R11 “Marume II” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT796-T18-T1R12 “Marume III” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT796-T18-T1R13 “Musumbo Wonderere I” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT796-T18-T1R14 “Musumbo Wonderere II” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT796-T18-T1R15 “Musumbo Wonderere III” by Matias & Jackson Chidavaenzi (hera)
HTFT797-T19-T1S1 “Marume Azere Dare” by Josam Nyamkuvhengu, Kenius Tauro, Samsom Chabirika and Baureni Joyi
HTFT797-T19-T1S2 “Ndonda” by Josam Nyamkuvhengu, Kenius Tauro, Samsom Chabirika, and Baureni Joyi
HTFT797-T19-T1S3 “Ndonda” by Josam Nyamkuvhengu
HTFT798-T20-T1S4 “Dairai Romba” by Josam Nyamkuvhengu
HTFT798-T20-T1S5 “Pasi Panodya” by Josam Nyamkuvhengu
23-Jun-70, Marymount Mission, Zimbabwe, hera
HTFT800-T22-T1U1 “Marume I” by Josam Nyamkuvhengu
HTFT800-T22-T1U2 “Marume II” by Josam Nyamkuvhengu
HTFT800-T22-T1U3 “KuvaChenjedza I” by Josam Nyamkuvhengu
HTFT800-T22-T1U4 “KuvaChenjedza II” by Josam Nyamkuvhengu
HTFT800-T22-T1U5 “Muparaganda I” by Josam Nyamkuvhengu
HTFT800-T22-T1U6 “Muparaganda II” by Josam Nyamkuvhengu
Hera and Drum: 24e June 1970, Dotito, Marymount Mission, Zimbabwe
HTFT798-T20-T1V1 “Hondo”(?) by Hasha Nhete and family
HTFT798-T20-T1V2 Untitled by Hasha Nhete and family
HTFT800-T22-T1V3 “Dairai Tausen”/”Chimbo Chinokanga uranda" by Hasha Nhete and family
HTFT800-T22-T1V5 “Nhamo Ndaiwona” by Hasha Nhete and family
HTFT800-T22-T1V6 “Kuyendaenda Chirega” by Hasha Nhete and family, accompaniment by Enock Mutsaunebaya Char
Matepe, Jenje drum and Rattles: 23 July 1973, Mutoko, Zimbabwe
HTFT911-W-R26-W2G1 “Siti” by Saini Murira, Garaji, Thomas Dzamwarira and others
HTFT912-W-R27-W2G2 “Kadyahove/Msengu” by Saini Murira, Garaji and others
HTFT913-W-R28-W2G3 “Waroya Mwana” by Saini Murira and others
HTFT914-W-R29-W2G4 “Kari Muchipfuwa” by Saini Murira and others
HTFT915-W-R30-W2G5 “Rega Kurakana Bza Dzuro” by Saini Murira and others
HTFT915-W-R30-W2G6 “Vano Vako Vakapera” by Saini Murira and others
