MBIRATHON

What is the Mbirathon?

Mbira players at locations around the world joining to keep traditional Shona mbira music played continuously for 24 hours.

When is it?

From 6 pm on March 3rd, to 6 pm on March 4th, 2012 (local time zone for each location). Please participate for the time you have available, whether one hour or the whole 24 hours. Ask your local host the exact time of your local Mbirathon.

What is the purpose of the Mbirathon?

1. Honoring the common ancestors and ancestry of all humankind, and fostering individual, community, and global healing. Background: Mbira is used in Shona culture (Zimbabwe) for healing, and for communication with ancestors, including those who are the common ancestors of all human beings alive on earth today. The vibration of mbira music is itself healing, whether or not you believe in communication with ancestors.

2. Fundraising for the MBIRA's non-profit projects. 2012 Mbirathon donations will be used for payments to Zimbabwean village musicians being recorded for the first time, at the time of recording.

The Organization

MBIRA is a non-profit organization that celebrates and helps to sustain the ancient musical traditions of Zimbabwe. MBIRA supports Zimbabwean musicians and instrument makers, and their families, through worldwide Zimbabwean music education, recordings, and performances. In a country with over 80% unemployment, this provides critical support in the daily struggle for survival. MBIRA has also created the largest archive of Shona mbira music in the world, which is a permanent resource for generations to come.

MBIRA’s activities (publishing recordings, selling instruments, and collecting tax-deductible donations) now provide support to more than 230 traditional musicians and 16 traditional instrument makers in Zimbabwe. As this income is distributed to extended families, over 2,500 people, including AIDS orphans supported by the families (more than 10% of Zimbabwe's population are orphans), benefit from MBIRA’s activities. The funds are typically spent on food, health care and school fees.

Wider impacts include greater respect for traditional musicians, restored faith in traditional belief systems integral with the music, and new interest by the younger generation in traditional instrument making, as well as playing.