Welcome to ChevanhuTrust

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Chivanhu is derived from the word hunhu, which is found in many languages in East, Central and Southern Africa. Hunhu also known as Ubuntu is an African philosophical/spiritual worldview that stresses the interconnectedness, and inevitable interdependence of people, and the natural environment. Chivanhu is dedicated to the restoration of sacred traditions of the peoples of Zimbabwe and Africa through Mbira music, ngoma and dance, education and community collaborations.

Chivanhu is also committed to developing an understanding and awareness of cross-cultural ways of relating and living. Chivanhu focuses on bridging our so-called differences by thinking and acting beyond the socially constructed boundaries of skin colour, religious and spiritual beliefs, gender, sex, age etc. Chivanhu seeks to rejuvenate and encourage our sacred relationship with nature, building a healthy understanding between Mother earth and us.

It is grounded in the belief that through action centred on Mbira and Ngoma music, positive energy will settle within our midst since naturally, people cast aside their differences at ceremonies wherever there is Mbira-music.

Chivanhu is a result of the collaboration between the spirits and living beings, which in many Zimbabwean philosophical or spiritual understandings are not separate but one entity, each with complementing roles. Ancestral inspirations through the body of Stella Chiweshe made Chivanhu possible. Stella Chiweshe is a world famous Mbira-player (recognised as such by the ancestors of Zimbabwe), mbira teacher, singer, actress, herbalist, mother and grandmother. She embodies the qualities of various ancestral strengths, healing, educating, entertaining, uniting and revolutionizing to name a few.

Mission Statement:

1. To conserve, promote and deepen understanding of cultural values and traditional music, particularly Mbira, in Zimbabwe and worldwide – through the sharing and exchanges of cultural values and practices with particular and appropriate local, regional and international persons and communities, achieved by the organisation and staging of workshops, festivals, discussions and dialogues, training and teaching, public and private performances

2. To carry out any other activities, which may further the promotion and attaining of the objects expressed in close 1 above.

KEY OBJECTIVES:

- The establishment and management of a physical centre (with adequate facilities) to promote the objectives of the Trust

- The bringing together of a wide variety of traditional musicians, from within Zimbabwe and further afield,

- To create mutual learning opportunities about the interaction of traditional music and traditional values and culture; and to learn about performance and staging of traditional music events

- the creation of opportunities for persons concerned about or involved in work relating to traditional values and cultural expression, to meet to share their perspectives and concerns, and to develop joint activities

- To particularly nurture, encourage, enhance and promote women’s participation, involvement and leadership in musical performances and cultural activities

- To ensure that adequate resources are available, for the achieving of the above.

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