Zim: Mokoomba releases new single Makisi, to perform in Harare tonight

9 Jun 2023 - 14:31

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Zimbabwean band Mokoomba has released a new single titled ‘Makisi’, as the group prepares to stage a performance at Reps Theatre in Harare, Zimbabwe, tonight in support of their upcoming European tour.

Mokoomba.

The song is off Mokoomba’s upcoming album Tusona: Tracings in the Sand, which is set for release on 7 July via Outhere Records. The title of the album is a nod towards the band’s immense respect for tradition. It refers to an ancient system of signs and symbols, drawn in the sand and used for instruction during initiation ceremonies by the Luvale people in Southern Africa.

‘Makisi’ track was dropped five years after the release of ‘Luyando’. ‘Makisi’ will be accompanied by a music video and seeks to celebrate the Makishi masquerade, which is part of the UNESCO list of intangible heritage. The video features a rare performance by a Makisi dance group led by Mokoomba’s lead singer Mathias Muzaza’s close relative, making it the first time a Zimbabwean band has featured this unique, sacred tradition.

The concert will be supported by Bulawayo-based group Iyana and is part of the band’s tour to support the roll out of the album following performances in Mutare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and the MTN Bushfire Festival in eSwatini.

“We are happy to be promoting our new upcoming album, which we produced ourselves,” band spokesperson Abundance Mutori said. “The album carries music that speaks to a number of social issues and some traditional stories and tales that are still relevant and instructional to our lives today.

“We look forward to the concert on Friday at Reps Theatre. This will be our first time performing there and we hope people will come in large numbers to support us before we travel to spread a positive image of our country and its people and to promote all the beautiful destinations that we have.”

Mokoomba’s European tour will begin in Scharnstein (Austria) on 24 June followed by performances at the Ethno Folk Festival in Saint-Thurien (France), Vienna (Austria), Treibhaus (Austria), Globaltica festival (Poland) and Jazz Cafe (UK) on 1, 12, 13, 22 and 25 July, respectively. The band will also perform in Germany, Sweden and Switzerland in October.

Tickets to the event are available at Reps Theatre or can be booked by calling the following numbers: +263 788 449 056, +263 772 892 512 or +263 772 773 574.