Led by singing drummer Marshall Munhumumwe, The Four Brothers came together… Read Full Bio ↴Led by singing drummer Marshall Munhumumwe, The Four Brothers came together in 1977 out of the ashes of the Great Sounds, and eventually became one of Zimbabwe's most popular musical acts. Munhumumwe, their chief composer as well as a drummer, began his career with The Great Sounds and Black Jack. He then joined Tineyi Chikupo's Mverechena Band, releasing one single in 1976. Soon after, Marshall left the band, bringing Alec Chipaika, Edward Zulu, and Never Mutare with him to form The Four Brothers. In fact, Marshall was Thomas Mapfumo's uncle - he credits Mapfumo for teaching him how to play guitar and drums, as well as inspiring him to become a musician. Releasing hits such as Zvamanya Tongai Zimbabwe, Pamusoroi Komuredhi, and Makorokoto in 1980, the band found great success and paved the way for many more hits to come.

The success of The Four Brothers came from the fact that they blended the chimurenga styles of Mapfumo and Sithole with rhumba from at home and abroad. Their fast paced, highly danceable music features not only the rapid-fire guitar we have come to expect from Zimbabwean compositions, but excellent harmonies as well. The Four Brothers have released many albums, including two greatest hits compilations. In 1988 they joined the ranks of touring Zimbabweans as they played shows in the UK.

Their popularity continued in Zimbabwe when, in 1997, Munhumumwe suffered a stroke and had to quit playing. The Four Brothers continued to tour without him, including a 1998 UK visit, but haven't been able to achieve their former success. Munhumumwe died in 2001. The band has since been rocked by deaths, as Munhumumwe replacements Albert Ruwizhi and Robium Chauraya have both died.

Things are looking a bit rosier for the Four Brothers. Their lastest album, Zvehama, reached the top ten in Zimbabwe after its release. The combination of extensive touring and high-profile collaborations with artists such as Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, and Alick Macheso has brought the band back into the spotlight.

The addition of a new drummer/vocalist, James Nyamandi from the Makombe Brothers, has also injected new life into the Brothers career. A new album is expected for the Christmas season. Original members Alex Chipaika, Frank Sibanda, and Never Mutare will join up with the band upon their return form touring in Japan with Clive Malunga's band. However, upon Nyamandi's departure, allegations of copyright infractions and song stealing against Nyamandi's Makombe Brother's band have been forwarded by Munhumumwe's son.

Besides Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi, The Four Brothers are possibly Zimbabwe's most internationally successful group. Their first greatest hits album, Makorokoto, is available for order at nearly every major record outlet and is included on many "Best Of..." lists of African albums.

The Four Brothers make appearances on many Zimbabwean compilations including the Zimbabwe Frontline series, where they collaborate with singer Patrick Mkwamba. They also recorded an album with Mkwamba, Tonosangana Ikeko, in 1990. The band has also recorded with Jairos Jiri Band frontman Paul Matavire.

this information is possibly several years old, and was copied from

http://www.embargo.ca/zim/artists/bios/4bros/

Ndivumbamireiwo
The Four Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ndipe uta hwangu nditambe navo avo
Ndipe pfumo rangu nhasi zvapera
Ndipe uta hwangu nditambe navo kani

Ndipe pfumo rangu nhasi zvapera

Nhasi ndiwe svikiro mudzimu wababa vangu
Iwe neni nhasi nhamo yauya

Nhasi ndiwe svikiro mudzimu wasekuru vangu
Iwe neni nhasi nhamo yauya

Tarisaiwo vari kumhepo imi
Ndimi munooma zvatisingaone
Tarisaiwo vari kumhepo kani
Ndimi munooma zvatisingaone

Pandinorara ndivhumbamireiwo
Pandinofamba bvisai zvakaipa
Pandinorara ndivhumbamireiwo
Pandinofamba bvisai zvakaipa

Nyevenutsai moyo yevavengi vangu
Muvape tsitsi nokuregerera
Nyevenutsai moyo yevanondivenga imi
Muvape tsitsi nokuregerera
Nyevenutsai moyo yevavengi vangu
Muvape tsitsi nokuregerera

Ndipe uta hwangu nditambe navo avo
Ndipe pfumo rangu nhasi zvapera
Ndipe uta hwangu nditambe navo kani
Ndipe pfumo rangu nhasi zvapera

Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure yaa hona
Hurungure

Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure yaa hona
Hurungure

Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure yaa hona
Hurungure

Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure yaa hona

Ndipe uta hwangu nditambe navo avo
Ndipe pfumo rangu nhasi zvapera
Ndipe uta hwangu nditambe navo kani
Ndipe pfumo rangu nhasi zvapera

Nhasi ndiwe svikiro mudzimu wababa vangu
Iwe neni nhasi nhamo yauya
Nhasi ndiwe svikiro mudzimu wasekuru vangu
Iwe neni nhasi nhamo yauya

Tarisaiwo vari kumhepo imi
Ndimi munoona zvatisingaone
Tarisaiwo vari kumhepo kani
Ndimi munooma zvatisingaone

Pandinorara ndivhumbamireiwo
Pandinofamba bvisai zvakaipa
Pandinorara ndivhumbamireiwo
Pandinofamba bvisai zvakaipa

Nyevenutsai moyo yevavengi vangu
Muvape tsitsi nokuregerera
Nyevenutsai moyo yevanondivenga imi
Muvape tsitsi nokuregerera

Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure yaa hona
Hurungure

Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure yaa hona
Hurungure

Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure yaa hona
Hurungure

Haa hurungure

Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure yaa hona

Overall Meaning

The song "Ndivumbamireiwo" by The Four Brothers is a song in the Shona language that talks about the importance of prayer and seeking guidance from ancestors. The song opens with the singer asking for his guitar and his soulmate to join him in prayer, and for his strength to be restored. The chorus repeats this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of seeking relief through prayer.

The second verse addresses the singer's ancestors, calling for them to reveal themselves and help him through his troubles. The verse also acknowledges the presence of sadness and struggles, urging listeners to look out for those who may be hidden in darkness. The chorus is repeated again, followed by a bridge that mentions the "hurungure," which is a small bird known to be a common sight in Zimbabwe. The final verse again calls for prayers to continue, with a plea to offer comfort to those who are struggling.

Line by Line Meaning

Ndipe uta hwangu nditambe navo avo
Give me my guitar, let me play with them

Ndipe pfumo rangu nhasi zvapera
Give me my drum, it's time to end

Ndipe uta hwangu nditambe navo kani
Give me my guitar, let me play with them again

Nhasi ndiwe svikiro mudzimu wababa vangu
Today you are the spirit of my father

Iwe neni nhasi nhamo yauya
You and I, today we share the sorrow

Nhasi ndiwe svikiro mudzimu wasekuru vangu
Today you are the spirit of my uncle

Iwe neni nhasi nhamo yauya
You and I, today we share the sorrow

Tarisaiwo vari kumhepo imi
Look at those in the grave, all of you

Ndimi munooma zvatisingaone
You are mad at what we do not see

Tarisaiwo vari kumhepo kani
Look at those in the grave again

Ndimi munooma zvatisingaone
You are mad at what we do not see

Pandinorara ndivhumbamireiwo
As I sleep, remember me

Pandinofamba bvisai zvakaipa
As I walk, remove the bad things

Pandinorara ndivhumbamireiwo
As I sleep, remember me

Pandinofamba bvisai zvakaipa
As I walk, remove the bad things

Nyevenutsai moyo yevavengi vangu
Protect the heart of my enemies for me

Muvape tsitsi nokuregerera
Give them patience and forgiveness

Nyevenutsai moyo yevanondivenga imi
Protect the heart of my critics for me

Muvape tsitsi nokuregerera
Give them patience and forgiveness

Haa hurungure
Haa hurungure

Haa hurungure yaa hona
Haa hurungure yaa hona