AT the 2014 edition of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa) poets Chirikure Chirikure and Albert Nyathi could be seen either together or within the shortest distance of each other and some may have wondered what was cooking.
SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
Besides both being aged 52 and of course being poets, there seemed to be an inexplicable bond between them.
There were striking similarities in the duo’s engagements and the people surrounding them except of course that one drowned more alcohol; whatever type he could lay his hands on.
While Nyathi takes time to make an impression, at times appearing to forget his Pilsener, Chirikure can easily be mistaken for any other person with a friendliness that defies his standing as one of the greatest poets to come from Zimbabwe.
Nyathi on the other hand is cool and somewhat aloof.
He may easily be dismissed as an unapproachable character which is exactly what he is not.
That aside, their recently released collaboration Connected spells much of the similarities proving it is more than just poetry that unites them.
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At a mere glance, partnering the duo may seem like trying to fit a tractor’s gigantic tyre to a wheelbarrow.
Sheer ambition!
Yet still Connected proves beyond doubt that they have an inconspicuous bond that follows many other characteristics. The album, released just after Hifa, is a marvellous effort that cajoles the listener.
What is interesting is that the two share intricate artistic similarities through their presentations so much that even the linguistic barrier cannot break.
Starting off with the track Kudala/Makare-kare, the album highlights different issues from peace and love to parental love and commitment of time in relationships and other issues while riding on various fusions of local and African sounds.
The album mixes mainly Ndebele and Shona with other languages like English and Setswana popping up here and there.
The creativity of the rhythm sounds helps the duo’s already highly rated poetry perfomance that is in some instances presented with a degree of farce that makes sure, however, that serious issues were tackled.
While the album will be disappointing to the hard-hitting expressive poetry audiences, this one will still qualify to rank among the top due to its flawless presentation.
Other tracks on the album include Ndinetse? Ngihlupha, Okhubekayo/Anogumburwa, Chiso/Ubuso bakho, Butsu/Izicathulo, Isikathi/Nguva, Kuenda/Ukuhamba and Kuhle/Chakanaka.
