A musician of a Leonard Zhakata mold, the 20t… Read Full Bio ↴Born: 1961. Died: 1997
A musician of a Leonard Zhakata mold, the 20th century's final decade saw Leonard Dembo emerge as the latest in a line of domestic superstars. Some consider his music to be classic Zimbabwean rhumba, while other feel its sungura. One thing is for certain; no matter how it is classified, it is good! Despite starting his musical career in 1985, Leonard Dembo didn't hit full-stride until the 1990s. The former cattle herder became insanely popular with his 1992 hit Chitekete, in which his lyrics drew upon traditional Shona sayings. According to Afropop, the track was so popular (it sold more than 100 000 copies) that it became a standard wedding song. Dembo and his band, Barura Express, stuck to their guitar band-sound, pumping out both danceable and singable hits. Sadly, tragedy struck as the band hit full stride. Dembo died before his music had the opportunity to truly reach international audiences.
Despite the death of their talismanic leader, Barura Express has continued touring and recording without Dembo.
Kukura Mumhu
Leonard Dembo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hande kumusha chizukuruwe vadzimu vedu vafare varikutambura
Hona mashura nguva nenguva kuvana vedu varikutambura
Hona mashura nguva nenguva kuvana vedu varikutambura
Wotora dhorobha semusha wako wosiya baba namai variko vachitambura
Wotora dhorobha semusha wako wosiya baba namai variko vachitambura
Iwe unodya nekunwa zvinonaka vabereki vako vachifa nenzara
Iwe unodya nekunwa zvinonaka vabereki vako vachifa nenzara
Kukura wakura mhumhu chete asi pfungwa dzakowe hadzisati dzikakura
Kukura wakura mhumhu chete asi pfungwa dzakowe hadzisati dzikakura
Kukura ndakura pfungwa chete asi mhumhu wanguwo hausati ukakura
Kukura ndakura pfungwa chete asi mhumhu wanguwo hausati ukakura
Chinotova chikumbiro kwamurika asi mhumhu wavo hausati ukakura
Chinotova chikumbiro kwamurika asi mhumhu wake hausati ukakura
Chinotova chikumbiro kwamurika asi mhumhu yeduwo haisati ukakura
Zvimwevo muchatiregerera hon'oka kutadza ndekwedu
Zvimwevo muchatiregerera nemivo kutadza ndekwenyu
Zvimwevo muchatiregerera hon'oka kutadza ndekwedu
Zvimwevo muchatiregerera nesuvo kutadza ndekwedu
Inga ndimi makasike rudzi
The song "Kukura Mumhu" by Leonard Dembo is an emotional and deep song about returning to one's roots and acknowledging the struggles and hardships of those who came before us. The repetitive refrain "Hande kumusha chizukuruwe vadzimu vedu vafare varikutambura" urges the listener to go back to their homeland and remember their ancestors who have passed away and are currently suffering. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the current state of the country, with people struggling to survive and families losing loved ones to poverty and hunger.
The verses are a reflection on the singer's life journey and realization that they have matured mentally and emotionally, but their material possessions and achievements don't amount to much. The lines "Kukura wakura mhumhu chete asi pfungwa dzakowe hadzisati dzikakura" highlight the fact that while one grows older and wiser, their physical body matures, but their mind may not have grown and developed as much. On the other hand, "Kukura ndakura pfungwa chete asi mhumhu wanguwo hausati ukakura" suggests that while the mind may develop, the body may not have had the chance to catch up due to the harsh realities of life.
The song is a powerful commentary on the poverty and struggles faced by many people in Zimbabwe and urges listeners to remember and honor their ancestors as they navigate their own struggles. It is a call for reflection, empathy, and action.
Line by Line Meaning
Hande kumusha chizukuruwe vadzimu vedu vafare varikutambura
Let us go home to our ancestral land, our spirits are suffering and dying in this foreign place
Hona mashura nguva nenguva kuvana vedu varikutambura
All the hardships, day and night, are weighing down on our children and they are suffering
Wotora dhorobha semusha wako wosiya baba namai variko vachitambura
Take your belongings, leave this place and abandon your father and mother who are suffering
Iwe unodya nekunwa zvinonaka vabereki vako vachifa nenzara
You are eating and drinking well while your parents are dying of hunger
Kukura wakura mhumhu chete asi pfungwa dzakowe hadzisati dzikakura
You have grown old in age but your wisdom has not grown with you
Kukura ndakura pfungwa chete asi mhumhu wanguwo hausati ukakura
I have grown in wisdom but my age has not caught up with it
Chinotova chikumbiro kwamurika asi mhumhu yeduwo haisati ukakura
The future may be uncertain, but our traditions and culture have not been forgotten
Zvimwevo muchatiregerera hon'oka kutadza ndekwedu
We will face some challenges, but we'll overcome them
Zvimwevo muchatiregerera nemivo kutadza ndekwenyu
You may also face challenges, but you will overcome them
Zvimwevo muchatiregerera hon'oka kutadza ndekwedu
We will face some challenges, but we'll overcome them
Zvimwevo muchatiregerera nesuvo kutadza ndekwedu
We may also face difficult times, but we'll overcome them
Inga ndimi makasike rudzi
You are the ones who have inherited the land
Contributed by Alaina G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sallie Waha Manguvhewa
on Chitekete
can some pls translate this song to english