BEYOND THROBBING DRUMS AND PIERCING FLUTES: BUDIMA ORAL PERFORMANCES AND THE CULTURAL RESILIENCE OF THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY TONGA

John Bwana Siakavuba; Mickias Musiyiwa

John Bwana Siakavuba
Mickias Musiyiwa University of Zimbabwe

Keywords: Budima, Cultural Resilience, Appraisal, Afrocentricity, Zambezi Valley Tonga, Social Change, Relocation

Abstract

This article focuses on the Zambezi Valley Tonga’s utilisation of budima to narrativise their search of unity, solidarity and cultural identity following dislocation. Budima is a musical ensemble for the Valley Tonga both in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Sadly, budima is slowly losing its place because young members have sided with Eurocentrically gowned, Christian inspired modernity. The article explores social dynamics that give budima the cultural resilience amid vicious cultural forces. It analyses challenges encountered by relocated communities, adjustments they made and relationships they established with upland communities. Through the selected songs, the article demonstrates that there is more than throbbing drums and piercing flutes in budima performances. Using the Appraisal and Afrocentricity theories, the article engages the performance-centred approach to examine attitudes and beliefs that the Valley Tonga attach to the symbiotic relationship between the living and transitioned kin.

Author Biographies

John Bwana Siakavuba

John Bwana Siakavuba is a doctoral candidate at the University of Zimbabwe studying how the Zambezi Valley Tonga people conceptualise and manage death through their funeral performances. Since 2017, he has been affiliated to the University of Zimbabwe as lecture in Tonga literature and culture. His research interests are in orature, traditional performing and expressive arts, creative industries, creative writing and editing, African literature, African culture and religion and indigenous knowledge systems. He has published several book chapters and journal articles in these areas.

Mickias Musiyiwa, University of Zimbabwe

Mickias Musiyiwa (PhD) is an associate professor at the University of Zimbabwe and a research fellow in the Department of English at the University of the Free State. He teaches strategic studies, digital humanities, indigenous knowledge systems (IKS), literary theory, oral literature, African literature, mythology and African culture. He is inter-disciplinarian scholar whose research interests also include indigenous epistemologies, popular music, media studies, popular arts, gender studies, community development, climate change, children’s literature and culture.