MUSIC teacher and performer Terence Kwenda recently officially released an animated musical video of his single Mwana WaRameki.
The animation captures the attention of the young and old as it imitates the highly fast beat music performed in chinyambera dance.
Kwenda, who is popular for choreographing chinyambera dance at several graduation ceremonies and functions at the Zimbabwe College of Music, opted for cartoon representations of himself (composer and lead vocalist), Diana Samkange (co-lead vocals), Deborah Nzombe (backing vocals), Paida Madiye (backing vocals), Nkosana Hamandishe (drums), Ronald Mhundwa (bass), Norman Masamba (guitars) and Spenser Masango (producer, brass and keys) to entertain the audience.
Chinyambera dance originates from Masvingo and it is performed when welcoming hunters on their return from a hunting expedition.
The highly energetic dance includes songs like Nhoro Pamuromo PeShumba and Gava Jena, among many others and innovatively, Kwenda created Mwana WaRameki, where he insisted on themes that resonate with the chinyambera dance from his accompanying instrumental music players.
Mwana WaRameki is a wedding song and has a recurring hook Tomuperekedza, Shona for we are officially accompanying the bride to her husband and new family.
Amid the song are satirical lyrics that the bride has defied the odds given her ugliness and laziness.
Above all, the whole community is waiting with bated breath to see who the groom is, because weddings are reserved for the chosen ones.
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Kwenda told NewsDay Life & Style that the animated video will help him to nestle into children, youth and the elderly cycles.
“The Mwana WaMereki animated video was done by PS Cartoon TV and is already on the Terence Kwenda YouTube channel,” he said.
“I just followed global trends and strived to produce a video that allows people to get entertained.
“I roped in the services of Diana Samkange, who is known for a universally appealing touch of Zimbabwean traditional and cultural music and dances.”
Added Kwenda: “The rest of the members of the band are seasoned musicians who teach as well as perform the traditional music of Zimbabwe with immense talent.
“Mwana WaRameki is a dance song we should all look forward to.”
The song was recorded at high dynamic levels in order to move the audience to the dance flow while they take their own accord of the mahiya, jeketera and other prominent variations found in the chinyambera dance.
The video, however, simplifies so many movements, therefore, igniting the desire to watch the real live performances of chinyambera dancers.
The National Association of Primary School Heads pronounced chinyambera dance the 2025 competition set piece for the Delta Beverages sponsored Jikinya Dance Festival.
The annual competition has given Zimbabweans an opportunity to learn several traditional dances, among them dinhe, mbende Jerusarema, mhande, hosanna and muchongoyo.
Competitions have in most cases deprived several children of recognition as preference is usually given to a few most talented children, who are expected to cause a stir during competitions.
Musical recordings like Kwenda’s Mwana WaMereki, if well rearranged, can help in spearheading inclusivity.
Kwenda is taking traditional dance to the contemporary dance floors.
