Mbira Queen, Masike recounts Costa Rica Experience
Letwin Mubonesi
Mbira Diva, Hope Masike has currently visited Costa Rica for the International Day of People of African Descent, embraced by United Nations (UN) in 2020. The holiday promotes the existence and recognizing the works of the African diaspora around the world aiming at eradicating all forms of discrimination against people of African descent.
She performed at the inaugural International Day for the People of African Descendants alongside Marimba virtuoso, Abel Mafuleni among other international artists and said was happy to be back on stage after a long time.
“Even though it has been more than a year without stage performance, I was never rusty. The correct descriptive word is hungry” she said.
Both Costa Rica and Zimbabwe have a national music instrument called marimba and the diva feels there is a connection between the two as she said she learnt the importance of music and cultural aspects in society.
Masike said, “Zimbabwe and Costa Rica are siblings. The appreciation of Zimbabwean music here is other-worldly. And maybe I can explain it: the National instrument of Costa Rica is called ‘marimba’ and it looks exactly like our marimba too except that theirs are chromatic. How an instrument is found in two different countries that are the Atlantic and many other things apart is an interesting phenomenon! But one can easily see we certainly were once one people. So because of this, our mbira and marimba music resonates so well with audiences here. And every performance has been highly spiritually charged”.
Costa Rica has become the first country to host the celebration after the commemoration of the International Day of People was formally adopted by the UN.
Masike saw the festival as a learning curve and a perfect opportunity to strengthen relations with the African descendants through music.
“The events at which I was performing also fitted very well with Zimbabwean music and the celebrations of the launch is the perfect platform to solidify our oneness, African and all its children who are everywhere else in the world.”
Masike performed in front of respected and powerful dignitaries such as the First Vice President of Costa Rica, His Excellence Epsy Campbell Barr. The Ghanaian King of The Akwamu Kingdom, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, the Regional Director of UNFPA Latin America and the Caribbean Mr Harold Robinson and other dignitaries.
She was recommended by Costa Rican-based Zimbabwean and pan-Africanist, Daves Guzha who saw and thought and thought it right to have a versatile Zimbabwean mbira player like her to perform at such a great event.
The Pan-Africanist Guzha took to his Facebook page appreciating the performance and the professionalism the duo had demonstrated.
“It is done! Thank you 1st Vice President of Costa Rica, Epsy Campbell Barr for such gracious hospitality. Minister Kirsty Coventry, thank you for the message of friendship to Costa Rica. Hope Masike and Abel Mafuleni, the professionalism you have demonstrated is most refreshing.”
Meanwhile, the musician has a collaboration with the legend Urban Groover Ex-Q ready for release this month.
Add comment