Calling on the Ancestors with Chartwell Dutiro

From A Show of Hearts · 48:24

Show by Rosemary Pritzker

Chartwell Dutiro is from the Shona tribe of Zimbabwe and is a master mbira player and professor. Mbira is a traditional, mystical instrument that’s purpose is to call on the ancestors, and it’s also the instrument you hear at the beginning and end of this show. In this episode you’ll learn about the history of the mbira and its influence on Zimbabwean culture, as well as how it’s used in a spiritual and ceremonial context. Chartwell holds a master’s degree in ethnomusicology from SOAS University in London, and is currently working on his PHD in Collaboration with Dialogue using mbira as the backbone. He has a great deal of knowledge and wisdom about both traditional cultures and modern culture and how the two can either be woven together in a beneficial way or how they can clash in a way that breaks us as individuals and as a society as a whole. You’ll also hear Chartwell’s thoughts on everything from Apartheid to what happens in cultures that don’t communicate with the spirits of their ancestors. This conversation was recorded two years ago, when A Show of Hearts was just a faint idea, so you’ll notice that the interviewing style and overall sound differ a bit from the other interviews on this show. But, his wise and insightful words are pretty timeless, and his perspective is unique and thoughtful. As you listen, you’ll get a sense of the respect and connection that he and Rosemary share, as he is her mentor and friend. Finally, you’ll hear one of his songs, Bukatiende, which means “get up let’s go” in Shona. To learn more about Chartwell, visit chartwellusa.wordpress.com or follow him on Instagram @chartwelldutiro Thanks for listening! If you loved what you heard, visit our website, ashowofhearts.com, subscribe on iTunes, and share with your friends @ashowofhearts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using #ashowofhearts. Feel free to comment on our social media or send us an email at [email protected]. Remember to choose courage, even when it’s scary, and join me in igniting the world with our hearts! Transcript Rosemary Pritzker: You’re listening to A Show of Hearts, the podcast about finding the courage to live a deep and magical life. I’m your host, life coach, Rosemary Pritzker. Rosemary Pritzker: (singing) Rosemary Pritzker: Hi everyone. Welcome to the show. I’m so happy to introduce you to today’s guest, my dear friend and mentor, Chartwell Dutiro. He’s from the Shona tribe of Zimbabwe and is a master mbira player and professor. Mbira is a traditional mystical instrument that’s purpose is to call on the ancestors. It’s also the instrument you hear at the beginning and end of every episode of my show. So I’m thrilled for you guys to learn more about its meaning and history. Rosemary Pritzker: Chartwell holds a master’s degree in ethnomusicology from SOAS University in London and is currently working on his PhD in collaboration with dialogue using mbira as the backbone. As you’ll hear in our interview, he has a great deal of knowledge and wisdom about both traditional cultures and modern culture and how the two can either be woven together in a beneficial way or how they can clash in a way that breaks us as individuals and as a society as a whole. Rosemary Pritzker: This conversation was recorded two years ago when A Show of Hearts was just a faint idea. So you’ll notice that the interviewing style and overall sound differ a bit from my other interviews. But his wise and insightful words are pretty timeless. I hope you enjoy the unique and thoughtful perspective that he has to share. When we sat down, I asked Chartwell to talk about what the mbira is and the purpose that it serves in his culture. Chartwell Dutiro: Mbira is a sacred, traditional instrument from Zimbabwe. It is made of three different components. It’s hand-forged metal pieces that are placed on very hard wood and at the bottom of the wood we have a metal plate that has anything that buzzes. Zimbabwe is landlocked and sometimes people use snail shells or sometimes ostrich egg shells, which I’ve used a lot. Now in this modern time, we put bottle tops. When we play mbira we use two thumbs and an index finger. So the thumbs are plucking down and the index finger is plucking up the high notes. Chartwell Dutiro: Because mbira is so quiet, we then place it inside a gourd. You can imagine a gourd grows up like a pumpkin and we let it dry in the field. It changes color. It becomes a bit brown. Then we cut off the gourd. We cut off the top and scoop out all the seeds. Sometimes they’re hanged in a kitchen, hot, where it can smoke. It is this kind of shiny brown color. And then we put also bottle tops or shells around it for even more buzzing. But the resonance of the gourd gives the mbira a bit more volume. Rosemary Pritzker: Can you talk a little bit about the purpose of the mbira? Chartwell Dutiro: It has got a pivotal role and an mbira player is like a linchpin between the ancestors’ world and the living people. So we play mbira in…

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