Guramatunhu (The Traveller)

by Mbira Renaissance

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about

This is the story of a family vehicle named 'Guramatunhu' aka Gura,
(translated: The Traveller / Conqueror of Towns). Gura, a faithful servant, for a decade and a half, carried members of a very large, extended family across Zimbabwe to various family functions: weddings; funerals; road trips; doctors visits; vacations; work visits- often over mountains, through rivers and rough, bumpy, dust roads.

The song is dedicated to Ranga Zinyemba and Alice Zinyemba- the original owners of Guramatunhu,on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary, without whom the story of Gura would have never been.

lyrics

English Translation (Shona lyrics below):

I remember those days dad- with Guramatunhu we travelled everywhere
To Gutu and to Mhondoro,
I know that even people in Lilongwe (Malawi) knew Gura,
We travelled in the Mozambican heat,
To Chimanimani, Bulawayo, Mosi a Tunya/ Victoria Falls,

Gura would conquer the mountains and the deep waters
Gura would conquer the mountains and the deep waters

I remember those days mom-with Guramatunhu we travelled everywhere,
Those who cried and those who laughed were transported by Gura,
The old, the children, the young boys and girls,
I remember we would wake up early and go to weddings,
I remember when uncle gave the car the name Guramatunhu.

Gura would conquer the mountains and the deep waters
Gura would conquer the mountains and the deep waters

Shona Lyrics:

(Hiyawonde Hiyawonde Mambo
Hiyawonde Hiyawonde Baba) x 2

NaGuramatunhu taisvika kwose
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye baba

KwaGutu, kuMhondoro akasvika
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye baba

Kana Lilongwe, Gura vaimuziva
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye baba

Tirimukati maMozambique tichipiswa
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye baba

Chimanimani, Bulawayo, Mosi a Tunya
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye baba

Makata makata makata nemumvura woye
Makata makata makata nemumvira, Gura waipinda

(Hiyawonde Hiyawonde Amai
Hiyawonde Hiyawonde Mama) x2

NaGuramatunhu taisvika kwose
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye mama

Kana vaichema munaGura vakapinda
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye mama

Kana vaifara munaGura vakapinda
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye mama

Chembere, pwere, majaya nemhandara
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye mama

Mangwanani mangwanani toenda kumuchato
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye mama

Guramatunhu zita rokupuwa naSekuru
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye mama

Guramatunhu zita rokupuwa naSekuru
-Handikanganwe mazuva aye mama

Makata makata makata nemumvura woye
Makata makata makata nemumvira, Gura waipinda

Hiyawonde Hiyawonde Hiyawonde
Hande Erisi (Alice)
Arame uyo!

credits

released June 10, 2017
Arrangement: The Mbira Renaissance Band
Producer: Munya Mataruse
Electric Guitar: Mike Campbell
Mbira: Chaka Zinyemba
Vocals: Chaka Zinyemba ; Chiedza Zinyemba
Guest Guitar: Munya Mataruse
Lyrics by: Chaka Zinyemba

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Mbira Renaissance Edmonton, Alberta

Mbira Renaissance gives original flair to the rich, ancient, classical musical genre that is mbira. The music is delicate yet upbeat, reggae rifts interwoven with jazzy melodies.

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