THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Five years after the release of ‘Luyando’, Zimbabwe’s most celebrated musical export have returned with their long-awaited follow-up album ‘Tusona: Tracings in the Sand’, released on 7 July by Munich-based Outhere records.
Like anywhere in the world Africa’s musical output has become more and more producer based. Mokoomba, however, are the living proof that Africa’s great guitar band heritage is well alive and ready to set any dancefloor on fire.
On ‘Tusana’, a DIY production recorded in Zimbabwe, the six musicians from Victoria Falls are refining their unique sound: infectious Afro grooves deeply connected to Zimbabwe’s cultural DNA, with heavy influences from neighbouring Congo, Zamrock and Chimurenga.
In 2008 the Makisi dances and masquerade were added to the UNESCO list of intangible heritage. The traditional “Makisi” is an important part of the Luvale initiation ceremony in Zimbabwe and other areas of Southern Africa.
During the annual Mukanda initiation ceremony the Makisi, which are masked characters representing the spirit of deceased ancestors, return to the living world to teach the young children to become responsible adults among the Luvale people of Southern Africa. In the last decade the interest – especially among the young people – has faded and the Makisi dances have nearly died out.
In an aim to revive this tradition, Mokoomba’s new single “Makisi” (out now) calls for people to come and join the Makisi ceremony. Everyone including the chief and his deputies, some government officials and of course, the village beauties join the week of celebration. There is ululation and there is dancing performed by young masked male dancers, “Makishi”, or “Makisi” in Ngangela language, and by girls who have undergone the “Wali” initiation ceremony.
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The video to the song features a rare performance by a Makisi dance group. The dancers come from Victoria Falls and neighbouring Livingstone and are led by a close relative of Mokoomba’s lead singer Mathias Muzaza who himself has gone through the “Wali” initiation ceremony. It is the first time that a Zimbabwean band has featured this unique and sacred tradition.
The title of Mokoomba’s album ‘Tusona’ is also a nod towards their immense respect for tradition. It refers to an ancient system of signs and symbols, drawn in the sand and used for instruction during initiation ceremonies by the Luvale in Southern Africa.
Mokoomba exploded onto the international music scene a decade ago. Since then they have shared their music with fans all over the world, performing in over 40 countries, including the Roskilde festival in Denmark and SXSW in the USA, to name but a few.
Mokoomba on Tour in Europe
Ten years after their debut performance at WOMAD, the energetic band will return to the festival this summer.
The band have also just announced their tour dates:
24 June Schönau 8 EU Capital of Culture Scharnstein, AT
01 July Ethno Folk Festival Saint-Thurien, FR
12 July Porgy & Bess Vienna, AT
13 July Treibhaus Open Air Innsbruck, AT
22 July Globaltica Gdynia , PL
25 July Jazz Cafe London, UK
26 July Howard Assembly Room Leeds, UK
27 July The Apex Bury St Edmunds, UK
28 July Womad Malmesbury, UK
29 July The Cornish Bank Falmouth, UK
30 July POK Festival Bialystock, PL
12 Oct Fasching Stockholm, SE
14 Oct Victoria Theatern Malmö, SE
18 Oct Pavillon Hannover, GER
19 Oct Hot Jazz Club Münster, GER
21 Oct Domicil Dortmund, GER
22 Oct Ampere München, GER
27 Oct Atlantis Basel, CH
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