See http://www.cumbancha.com/chiwoniso for more information on Chiwoniso.
With a sound that recalls the fire of Angelique Kidjo, the inspiration of Oliver Mtukudzi, the rebellion of Thomas Mapfumo and the soul of India.Aire, Chiwoniso is one of the most exciting talents in African music today.
Chiwoniso Maraire is a Zimbabwean musician who while pursuing her solo career has also recorded with Andy Brown and The Storm, Women's Voice, and The Collaboration.
While traditional Zimbabwean music provides a foundation for her music, she incorporates many influences.
Nhemamusasa
Chiwoniso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hiya Hah
Hoo-horendere hiya
Hiya
Hiya Hah
Hoo-horendere hiya
Hiya
Hiya Hore
Nhemamusasa
Nhemamusasa
Wakaringe zuva nhamoichauyaiwe
Iwe Nhemamusasa
Nhemusasa
Wakaringe zuva nhamo ichauya iwe
Pereka, pereka, pereka
Pereka, pereka, pereka, pereka, pereka mvura mukarangaiwe
Pereka, pereka, pereka
Pereka, pereka, pereka, pereka, pereka mvura mukarangaiwe
Iwe nhemamusasa,
Nhemamusasa, nhemamusasa, nhemamusasa
Nhemamusasa,
Nhemamusasa, nhemamusasa, nhemamusasa
Haiya, horendendeiye-iye
Hanzvadzi yamai vako zvaisingarime iwe
Haiwa, horendendeiye-iye
Hanzvadzi yamai vako zvaisingarime iwe
Iye horendendende iyewohere ndende
Hanzvadzi yamai vako zvaisingarime iwe
Haiwa, horendendeiye-iye
Hanzvadzi yamai vako zvaisingarimeiwe
Iiiiweee
Hoiye iye aha
Hoiye iye ehi
Hoiye iye aha
Hoiye iye ehi
Hoiye iye aha
Eiye ehi
Hoiye iye aha
Hoiye iye ehi
Hoiye iye aha
Hoiye iye ehi
Hoiye iye aha
Hoiye iye ehi
Hoiye iye aha
Eiye ehi
Hoiye iye aha
Hoiye iye ehiye
Iyere iye
Iyere iyerere
Iyere iyere
Iyere iyerende
Werere iye
Iye hoiyendende
Hanzvadzi yamai vako zvaisingarime iwe mukaranga iwe
Werere iye
Iye hoiyendende
Hanzvadzi yamai vako zvaisingarime iwe mukaranga
Werewu, werewu, werewu, werewu
Iya hoeyere
Hanzvadzi yamai vako zvaisingarime iwe mukaranga
Werere iye
Iye hoiyendende
Hanzvadzi yamai vako zvaisingarime iwe mukaranga
Nhemamusasa, nhemamusasa
Wakaringe zuva nhamo ichauyaiwe mukaranga
Nhemamusasa, nhemamusasa
Wakaringe zuva nhamo ichauyaiwe mukaranga
Iwe, nhemamusasa, yereu iye hoyere
Wakaringe zuva nhamo ichauyaiwe mukaranga
Nhemamusasa, nhemamusasa
Wakaringe zuva nhamo ichauyaiwe mukaranga
The song โNhemamusasaโ by Chiwoniso Maraire is sung in the Shona language of Zimbabwe. The lyrics are an ode to the traditional mbira music of Zimbabwe and its important role in the cultural and spiritual life of Zimbabweans. The repeated use of the word โNhemamusasaโ pays homage to the well-known traditional mbira piece of the same name.
The first verse describes the importance of the mbira music in the life of the people. The song declares that the mbira music โwakes up the soul in the morningโ. The chorus is a call to the mbira player to play the music slowly and to offer water to the ancestors. The repeated phrase โPereka, pereka, perekaโ is a call for the player to offer water. The second verse of the song talks about the importance of the mbira in connecting the living with the ancestors. The lines โHanzvadzi yamai vako zvaisingarime iweโ translate to โYour mother's sister calls out to youโ. This refers to the belief in African spirituality that the ancestors can communicate with the living through the mbira music. The song concludes by repeating the chorus.
Line by Line Meaning
Hiya
A traditional Shona greeting
Hiya Hah
Continuation of the greeting
Hoo-horendere hiya
A call to dance and sing
Nhemamusasa
The name of a traditional Zimbabwean mbira song about the Nhema tree
Wakaringe zuva nhamoichauyaiwe
The Nhema tree has been cut down and we are mourning its loss
Iwe Nhemamusasa
Addressing the Nhema tree directly
Pereka, pereka, pereka
A call to bring water
Pereka, pereka, pereka, pereka, pereka mvura mukarangaiwe
Bring water to quench our thirst and mourn the loss of the Nhema tree
Haiya, horendendeiye-iye
A call to dance and sing
Hanzvadzi yamai vako zvaisingarime iwe
Aunt, take care of your children
Iye horendendende iyewohere ndende
Dance and sing until the morning comes
Iiiiweee
Expressing joy and excitement
Hoiye iye aha
An exclamation of excitement
Hoiye iye ehi
An exclamation of excitement
Iyere iye
An exclamation of excitement
Iyere iyerere
An exclamation of excitement
Iyere iyere
An exclamation of excitement
Iyere iyerende
An exclamation of excitement
Werere iye
An exclamation of excitement
Hanzvadzi yamai vako zvaisingarime iwe mukaranga iwe
Aunt, take care of your children and the land
Werewu, werewu, werewu, werewu
The sound of the mbira, a traditional Zimbabwean instrument
Nhemamusasa, nhemamusasa
A call to remember the Nhema tree and its significance
Wakaringe zuva nhamo ichauyaiwe mukaranga
We mourn the loss of the Nhema tree and the impact it has on the land
Iwe, nhemamusasa, yereu iye hoyere
Oh Nhema tree, let us dance and sing in your honor
Writer(s): Traditional
Contributed by Hunter J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@garimudzudzu4537
2022 we here... still enjoying this sweet sweet voice and the amazing arrangement of the great song Nhemamusasa.
@blessingmakurira9269
Hauite hauite
@yurungai5459
SIM
@andymucharwa3735
We're here now in 2023 ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
@blessingmavhura191
Who is here with me 2019 we lost such a beautiful LEGEND may her soul rest in peace. You music lives forever
@denzelliboetz2018
๐๐๐
@meritatechnologies3045
:(
@blessingmandima4454
I love this song by her cause my Marimba team in high school and I played it
@friesiamans1966
2021 and still loving her - this song is immaculate!
love and respect from germany ๐โโ๏ธ
@friesiamans1966
@@blessingmandima4454 what a pity, that we canยดt hear a recording of that...