Tawanda muChinyakare means "we are many, all in the deep tradition of the arts of our ancestors," in ChiShona, a native language of Zimbabwe.
The phrase speaks of a profound unity experienced through living in harmony with the deep traditions of our ancestors.
Tawanda muChinyakare is a network of musicians, artists, teachers, and community organizers that was created with the purpose of weaving ancestral wisdom and creative expression with contemporary education and community work through the medium of African music and dance.
Tawanda muChinyakare is a bridge between cultures, tribes, elders, youth, and ancestors, which seeks to introduce new cultural perspectives, strengthen positive aspects of heritage, and expand cultural imagination through facilitating events, classes, and community gatherings. Tawanda muChinyakare invites us to experience the true power of community through the context of traditional music and dance.
Julia Tsitsi Chigamba, Master Dancer, Singer and Instrumentalist from Zimbabwe, grew up in the rich cultural traditions of Shona music and dance. Daughter of highly respected "mai Chigamba and Baba Tute Chigamba", she's a long time member of The Mhembero Dance Troupe, the internationally known Chigamba Family of dance and mbira for ceremonies within the communites now performing on stage. Julia has participated in three generations of the family mbira and dance in the 80's when Rhodesia became Zimbabwe.
Since 1999, Julia has perfomed and taught widely in the USA and Canada and has made Oakland her home away from home. Julia is the founder of The Chinyakare Ensemble since 2000 and Tawanda MuChinyakare. The organization is a bridge between cultures, tribal elders, youths and ancestors which seeks to introduce new cultural perspectives, strengthen positive aspects of heritage and expand cultural imagination.
Under the direction of Julia Tsitsi Chigamba, the Chinyakare Ensemble boasts a collection of diverse and experienced musicians from Africa, the United States and beyond. True to its name, "deep traditional in the arts of our ancestors", the ensemble performs traditional dance, mbira, drums, marimba, and song from Shona, and other tribal groups from around Zimbabwe.
The Chinyakare Ensemble is available for performances, school assemblies, parties and ceremonies. The Ensemble is currently composed of 3 to 6 dancers and musicians. The number of performers available depends on the type of venue and the kind of presentation requested. In presenting our culture to the public it's a question of quality, not quantity.
For booking, please email us at nditsitsi_yahoo.com or call 510 387 0540
Performing with Mbira DzeMuninga
August 27 doors 8:30pm, show 9:00pm
Ashkenaz
1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
Tickets $15
Photo by RJ Muna
OYC (Oakland Youth Chorus);
Hollywood Bowl;
Kutandara Center, Boulder, Colorado;
Tumbuka, Santa Fe, New Mexico;
Young AUdiences of Northern California
(assemblies throughout the bay area);
Zimfest (annually);
Lula Washington Dance Theater Los Angeles, California
The Chinyakare Ensemble will be performing at the San Francisco Ethinic Dance Festival July 1-3!!!
July 1, 8pm
July 2, 3pm and 8pm
July 3, 8pm
Please click for tickets and more information.
Welcome! Dancers! MAUYA MAUYA
Julia Chigamba teaches Tradtional Zimbabwean Dance
For more information, please contact her at... nditsitsi_yahoo.com
