“Tanda Shiri We,” humbekumbe song performed by the Chitsiga Drummers & Singers of Guruve
The importance of the hosho in orienting participants within the complex rhythms of ngoma music is evident in this performance of humbekumbe, one of the many different ngoma genres played in Korekore communities throughout Zimbabwe’s northern regions. At the same time, Sekuru Chigamba observes that the term humbekumbe can also refer to a ritual event during which ngoma music is played.
As Sekuru Chigamba explains, humbekumbe is closely related to other ngoma genres played throughout Zimbabwe, including dinhe and dandanda:
Dinhe, it’s a name from Mashonaland West. In Mazowe, they call it dandanda. But they play it the same, like people in Mashonaland West. But there, they say dinhe, in Mazowe they say dandanda. And in Guruve, we say humbekumbe.
Like other ngoma genres, humbekumbe combines drumming, dance, and song, in addition to hosho. According to Sekuru Chigamba, however, humbekumbe ensembles may also include a type of mbira known as njari:
When it is humbekumbe they play drums, and they also play njari. They mix them together.
Here, members of the Chitsiga Drummers & Singers from Guruve perform the humbekumbe song “Tanda Shiri We.” Based near Chigamba village, the group features relatives of the Chigamba family, including drummer Collin Makumbe. Photo and recording courtesy Erica Azim and MBIRA.