Womad Shop

Chimurenga: African Spirit Music

Thomas Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited

When Thomas was still a boy, music began to play an increasingly important part in his life. His motherwas a talented musician and his grandparents would hold all-night parties in which music told a story.

To the Shona people, their music embodies the spirit of their ancestors - all their experiences, struggles,and lessons. Some of these songs told of "chimurenga" - the otherwise untold epic fight against the colonialists who arrived in Zimbabwe just over 100 years ago.

Despite the decimation of their people and culture, it was the indestructable link through music with their ancestors that was to provide Thomas with the inspiration to develop his unique and most African of music styles: Chimurenga music. It was the lyrics that sent the message, and the songs of freedom were played all over Zimbabwe in the clubs and on the radio. After a long, bitter and bloody struggle, Zimbabwe became independent on18 April 1980.