The band developed a style called chimurenga music, meaning "(revolutionary) struggle" - a highly politicised electrification of traditional Shona mbira music, with lyrics railing against the colonial government in Rhodesia and, later, against Mugabe.
Mapfumo now lives in exile in the United States.
Maiti Kurima Hamubvire
Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vakuru voye
Hona takamirira, zvamakataura
Kwapera makore mangani vakuru woye
hona takamirira zvamakataura
Kwasarawo mwedzi mingani, oo sekuru woye hona takamirira zvamakataura
Kwapera makore mangani hona takamirira zvamakavimbisa
muchiti kurima inyore
maiti kurima inyore
maiti kurima hakunetsi
maiti mombe hamushayi
muchiti gejo munaro
maiti kurima inyore
muchiti kurima hakunetsi
maiiti mombe hamushaye
muchiti gejo munaro
mharidzo yenyu zviroto kani
kufunga kwenyu kwakarasika
mai vemwana zvaite musha
tozvireva takamirepi
chimbo changu chimbo chenhamo (varume woye)
chinoimbwa takaminyama
maiti kurima inyore
maiti kurima hakunetse
maiti kurima inyore
muchiti kurima hakunetsi
maiti mombe munadzo
muchiiti gejo munaro
maiti kurima inyore
muchiiti kurima hakunetsi
muchiti mombe munadzo
muchiti gejo munaro
The lyrics to Thomas Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited's song "Maiti Kurima Hamubvire" address the difficulties of farming and the consequences of not being able to produce enough crops. The first stanza explores the passage of time and the importance of listening to the wisdom of the elders. The repetition of "hona takamirira, zvamakataura" emphasizes the significance of paying attention to what has been said before in order to learn from it.
The second section focuses on the struggles of farming, with lines like "maiti kurima hakunetsi" (farming is not easy) and "maiti mombe hamushayi" (people say don't kill the cow). The lyrics suggest that despite the challenges of farming, there are ways to adapt and thrive. The final stanza is a call for unity and perseverance, encouraging listeners to come together and support each other through difficult times.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the hardships faced by farmers and the importance of community in overcoming those challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Kwasara makore mangani
How many years have passed?
Vakuru voye
Old folks
Hona takamirira, zvamakataura
We see and hear what you're saying
Kwapera makore mangani vakuru woye
How many years have you lived, old folks?
hona takamirira zvamakataura
We see and hear what you are saying
Kwasarawo mwedzi mingani, oo sekuru woye hona takamirira zvamakataura
How many months have passed, oh wise man? We see and hear what you are saying
Kwapera makore mangani hona takamirira zvamakavimbisa
How many years have we wasted, failing to heed your advice?
Maiti kurima hakunetsi
You say there's no difficulty in farming
muchiti kurima inyore
And you say the soil is fertile
maiti kurima inyore
You say farming is easy
maiti kurima hakunetsi
You say farming is not difficult
maiti mombe hamushayi
You tell us not to kill the cows (our wealth)
muchiti gejo munaro
And you say it's important to dance
maiti kurima inyore
You say the soil is fertile
muchiti kurima hakunetsi
You say farming is not difficult
maiiti mombe hamushaye
You tell us not to kill the cows (our wealth)
muchiti gejo munaro
And you say it's important to dance
mharidzo yenyu zviroto kani
Your teachings are spot on
kufunga kwenyu kwakarasika
But our thinking has been corrupted
mai vemwana zvaite musha
Our children have no respect for traditions
tozvireva takamirepi
Where do we turn?
chimbo changu chimbo chenhamo (varume woye)
This song of mine is a sad one (oh men)
chinoimbwa takaminyama
It is sung in the darkness
maiti kurima inyore
You say the soil is fertile
maiti kurima hakunetse
You say farming is not difficult
maiti kurima inyore
You say the soil is fertile
muchiti kurima hakunetsi
You say farming is not difficult
maiti mombe munadzo
You tell us not to kill the cows (our wealth)
muchiiti gejo munaro
And you say it's important to dance
maiti kurima inyore
You say the soil is fertile
muchiiti kurima hakunetsi
You say farming is not difficult
muchiti mombe munadzo
You tell us not to kill the cows (our wealth)
muchiti gejo munaro
And you say it's important to dance
Contributed by Zoe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@abelkasi2486
Anyone here in 2024, press like
@tawexkaduya1020
2024 who's here
@AlistahMotsi
Am here listening to this song 31 march 2024 1721hrs
@prudenceangeline942
Listening with you on 1 April 2024 00:50am
@laziologytheman4161
My favourit song of all times .. Respect kuna Mudhara Achiri mupenyu
@lovesonpaula
I'm listening in Maputo Mozambique driving from Durban. I cry when I imagine when it was sang and what's happening now.
@simbamlambo2167
This guy is a true revolutionary using his art to fight against oppression in Zimbabwe. Sadly time is no longer on your side but thank you for your gr8 music we shall forever cherish these masterpieces!
@lenardmugabe8612
Big up Thomas
@lenardmugabe8612
Thomas gandanga Tafira nyika Mapfumo moto😂
@paddingtonmukumba5619
Amana mungabva mati time is not on your side kunge ndimi Mwari here...mukanya is fit as we speak