Info For Yous Wagogo (Gogo) People: Tanzanian Dancing Ethnic Grouping In Addition To The African Queens Of Drums
The Gogo (or mgogo singular too Wagogo plural ) are ever-happy, dance-loving too agriculturalist Bantu ethnolinguistic grouping living inwards the Dodoma Region of fundamental Tanzania. In the past times Gogo people were known pastoralist too patrilineal (tracing descent too inheritance through the manful someone line) ethnic group, but many contemporary Gogo at nowadays exercise settled agriculture, take away hold migrated to urban areas, or piece of work on plantations throughout Tanzania. They are well-known for their musical prowess too their Gogo music has achieved an international reputation.
Maduma Wagogo grouping from Tanzania performing traditional African drumming. By /mapanakedmon
The Wagogo ocucupy a terra firma inwards Tanzania known equally Ugogo (Gogoland), too it covers most of Dodoma District. This part covers an expanse of 25,612 foursquare miles, alongside an height of 480ms to 12ms higher upward ocean grade (Cidosa, 1995).
Dr Hukwe Zawose, the legendary Wagogo traditional musician; Hukwe Ubi Zawose (b. Dodoma, Tanganyika, 1938 or 1940; d. Bagamoyo, Tanzania, Dec 30, 2003) was a prominent Tanzanian musician. He was a fellow member of the Gogo ethnic grouping too played the ilimba, a large lamellophone like to the mbira, equally good equally several other traditional instruments. He was also a highly regarded singer.
He came to national too international attending after Julius Nyerere invited him to alive too piece of work inwards Dar es Salaam. He also gained much attending for his piece of work alongside Peter Gabriel, too released 2 albums (Chibite too Assembly) on Gabriel's Real World Records label. His finally release earlier his death, Assembly, was a collaborative sweat alongside producer/guitarist Michael Brook. At the 2005 Tanzania Music Awards he was given the Hall of fame award. His household unit of measurement is included inwards the 2009 documentary Throw Down Your Heart, which follows American banjo participant Béla Fleck equally he journeys through Africa.
It lies on an upland plateau of 3,000 feet too more, too comprises less than 2 per centum of Tanzania's expanse too they comprise 3% (1,735,000 people) of the population of Tanzania.
Wagogo people performing traditional dance. By /mapanakedmon
Dodoma: Where the Elephant Sank
Dodoma (Tanzania, United Republic of) became a scream earlier it became a town. There are dissimilar stories virtually how it happened. One storey is that some Wagogo stole a herd of cattle from their southern neighbours the Wahehe; the Wagogo killed too ate the animals, preserving only the tails, too when the Wahehe came looking for the lost herd all they found were the tails sticking out of a patch of swampy ground. ''Look'', said the Wagogo, ''Your cattle take away hold sunk inwards the mud, Idodomya''. Dodoma inwards chigogo agency ''it has sunk''. There is yet some other storey which is most commonly accepted on the scream Dodoma. An elephant came to potable at the nearby Kikuyu current (so named after the Mikuyu fig trees growing on its banks) too got stuck inwards the mud. Some local people who saw it exclaimed ''Idodomya'' too from that fourth dimension on the identify became known equally Idodomya, the identify where it sank.
Wago
The musical Wagogo people of Dodoma, Tanzania. By /mapanakedmon
Language
Wagogo people speak Cigogo linguistic communication which belongs to the eastern grouping of Bantu languages. Wagogo maintain their Cigogo linguistic communication rigid inside the family, fifty-fifty equally they are at nowadays speaking Kiswahili, the official national linguistic communication of Tanzania which is utilized inwards telecommunications, merchandise too commerce.
Wagogo people
History
Wagogo are indigenous Bantu people of Dodoma alongside one-half of their ruling grouping coming from Uhehe branch of Unyamwesi. They take away hold ever been where they are too take away hold seen many tribes too adventurers passing through their Ugogo (land of Wagogo).
Wagogo warriors on their way to attend a trial for witchcraft, 1909-1910
Their scream was invented sometime inwards the 19th century past times the Nyamwezi ethnic grouping caravans passing through the expanse piece it was soundless frontier territory. Richard Francis Burton claimed a real modest population for it, proverb only that a someone could walk for 2 weeks too reveal only scattered Tembes.
There was too remains the job of inadequate pelting for crops too humans, the rainy flavor beingness brusk too erratic alongside frequent drought. In the 18th century the Wagogo were generally pioneer colonists from Unyamwesi too Uhehe, too are oftentimes confused alongside the Sandawe too the Kaguru. Half the ruling grouping came from Uhehe. They had a long tradition of hunting too gathering, allowing the Wanyamwezi to send the ivory to the coast, but had go agriculturalists alongside cattle past times 1890. They continued, however, to take away hold a depression regard for working the terra firma too are said to take away hold treated their agricultural slaves badly.
The Wagogo experienced famine inwards 1881, 1885, too 1888–89 (just earlier Stokes' caravan arrived) too and so 1 time again inwards 1894–95, too 1913–14. The main argue for the exceptional series of famines inwards Ugogo was its unreliable rainfall too the ensuing series of droughts.
In his mass In Darkest Africa Henry M. Stanley, piece "rescuing" Emin Pasha in monastic state to convey him to the coast, writes,
"On the 26th nosotros entered Muhalala, too on the eighth of Nov nosotros had passed through Ugogo. There is no province inwards Africa that has excited greater involvement inwards me than this. It is a ferment of problem too distraction, too a rat's nest of niggling annoyances that beset travelers from 24-hour interval to 24-hour interval piece inwards it. No natives know so good how to aggrieve too live unpleasant to travelers. One would think at that spot was a schoolhouse somewhere inwards Ugogo to instruct depression cunning too roughshod malice to the chiefs, who are masters inwards foxy-craft. Nineteen years agone I looked at this terra firma too people alongside desiring eyes.
Wagogo boys playing 'chameleon', c.1919
I saw inwards it a champaign worth some sweat to reclaim. In 6 months I felt for certain Ugogo could live made lovely too orderly, a approbation to the inhabitants too to strangers, without whatever slap-up expense or trouble. It would go a pleasant highway of human intercourse alongside far-away peoples, productive of wealth to the natives, too a comfort to caravans. I learned on arrival inwards Ugogo that I was forever debarred from the hope. It is to live the destiny of the Germans to send out this work, too I envy them. It is the worst word of all that I shall never live able to drain this cesspool of iniquitous passion, extinguish the insolence of Wagogo chiefs, too brand the terra firma clean, healthy, too fifty-fifty beautiful of view. While my best wishes volition accompany High German efforts, my hear is clouded alongside a doubtfulness that it volition ever volition live that fair terra firma of remainder too welcome I had dreamed of making it."
Economy
The Wagogo are considered to live "sedentary but mobile cultivators" who subsist on cereals, but whose value scheme is paradoxically almost only orientated towards pastoralism, especially cattle-keeping. There are 2 seasons, cifuku (the rainy season) too cibahu (the dry out season).
Their electrical current mixed economy, is at nowadays of agriculture too herding, but most heavily depended on grain from agriculture. Traditionally, tillage piece of work parties of virtually 20 men too women were held from Jan through March, too lasted all 24-hour interval alongside a beer political party at the end. People came from an expanse less than 5 miles; generally they were unopen neighbors. Generally, however, agricultural tillage played a secondary role to the livestock cycle.
Since grain tin live extensively damaged past times birds, bush pigs, wart hogs, too baboons, men too boys take away hold the responsibleness of protecting the fields, fifty-fifty at night. Several medicinal too supernatural methods were also used for protecting fields against wild fauna too the evil influence of men.
In traditional agricultural practices, the average Wagogo did non possess a real large herd of cattle. Patterns changed, but it must live remembered that these cattle also belonged to relatives, kin, too clan members.
Wagogo people at Chamwino,Tanzania
Diet
The traditional staple nutrient was a thick porridge (ugali) made from sorghum or millet flour. It was consumed alongside a side dish made from greenish vegetables, meat, or mhopota (churned milk). Milk, which was relatively scarce, especially during the long dry out season, was consumed inwards several dissimilar ways. Only on for certain occasions was meat consumed; cattle were never deliberately slaughtered for consumption. However, livestock had to live slaughtered during rituals or when the cattle were old, too could live used for such ceremonial feasts equally childbirth, weddings, too funerals. Most neighbors shared inwards this consumption.
Traditional society
Influenced past times the Nyamwezi, Maasai, too Hehe, the Wagogo take away hold historically been described equally rude, brawling, too boundlessly inquisitive herders, alongside manners too tearing looks from a rough, raw way of life, physically intermixed alongside slaves from the west.
They had a genuinely pitiable reputation amid Europeans traveling through Ugogo, beingness considered suspicious, deceitful liars, insolent too cowardly. Emin Pasha, writing to his sister, reported, "We are at nowadays on the boundary of Ugogo, a province notorious for its winds, dust, scarcity of H2O too the impudence of its inhabitants". (He makes no advert of using the decease of an Askari equally an excuse to destroy 19 villages too looting some 2,000 cattle.)
Social structure
Wagogo clans moved unopen to a proficient deal, dropping ties to older groupings, adopting novel links too family, novel clan names, things to avoid, affiliations, too novel ritual functions. The Gogo, inwards short, became dissimilar from what they were before.
While early on European writers emphasized the political chiefs of the Wagogo, calling them 'Sultans' equally was customary on the coast, too stressed their collection of the real profitable taxes (hongo), on scarce nutrient too water, it was actually the ritual leaders who influenced the entire country. They controlled rainmaking too fertility, medicines to protect against natural disasters or hazards, too prevented for certain resources from beingness overly used. They were non to exit their "country," they were to live rich inwards cattle, decided on circumcision too initiation ceremonies, give supernatural protection for all undertakings too live arbitrators inwards homicide, witchcraft accusations, too serious assault.
The Wagogo placed considerable value on neighborliness. After having his physical needs met, a foreign traveler would live accompanied many miles past times the immature men of a homestead inwards monastic state to identify him safely on his way. The homestead grouping was so fundamental to Gogo gild that people who had died peculiarly, (struck downward past times lighting or a contagious disease) were thrown into the bush or the torso of a baobab tree, for such a someone had no homestead too could go an "evil spirit" who associated alongside sorcerers or witches.
Wagogo Mirungu
Family structure
Most brothers went to slap-up lengths to assist their sisters, who oftentimes lived alongside their brothers inwards sickness until they recovered, for brothers take away hold rigid moral too legal obligations to fulfill these duties inwards cooperation alongside their sisters' husbands. Even after inwards life, sisters too brothers proceed to see each other, a married adult woman never beingness fully incorporated into her husband's group.
Wagogo African queens of drums. By /mapanakedmon
Marriage
While the bulk of Wagogo take away hold only 1 married adult woman at whatever given time, most found polygyny to live highly valued too carrying a high priority. It was the prerogative of older, well-established men. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 reasonably prosperous human could promise to take away hold 2 too sometimes 3 wives, too sometimes together.
Most marriages took identify inside a day's walking distance after understanding is reached on the number of livestock to live included inwards the bridewealth, only too so is the transfer made. Even a hundred years later, bridewealth is soundless ordinarily given only inwards livestock too a high proportion of courtroom cases involve the giving or render of bridewealth. The divorce charge per unit of measurement inwards Ugogo was real low, for few marriages ended inwards divorce. Even after divorce, all children born during the matrimony belonged to the ex-husband, "where the cattle came from." "If you lot go somewhere too get hitched alongside the kid of others, too so all your wife's relatives go your relatives, because you lot take away hold married the child, too so you lot volition beloved fifty-fifty them.("From Rigby's mass Cattle too Kinship") Lovers of married women could never, however, claim their offspring. If a married adult man had given bridewealth for his married adult woman who was meaning earlier he married her, he must soundless pick out paternity of the child.
Defense
Defense against the Kisongo, Maasai, too Wahehe was organized too based on historic catamenia groups of warriors, much equally the Maasai. This "military" organization was generally used for local defense, although it could live used for cattle raids against others. When an alert was sounded all able-bodied men were to pick out upward arms too run towards the telephone telephone (this did non ever piece of work smoothly).
source:http://mapanakedmon2010.wordpress.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gogo_people
Wagogo the musical people of Tanzania. By /mapanakedmon
Muheme musical Traditions too Makumbigawadala (rite of passage) ceremony
Transitions inwards the Social Functions of the Muheme Music Tradition of the Wagogo People of Dodoma, Tanzania
Kedmon Mapana
Department of Fine too Performing Arts University of Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania
The musical tradition of muheme is associated alongside diverse songs too dances performed during the Wagogo girls‟ initiation ceremony, makumbigawadala. The muheme music tradition has its ain historyand socio-cultural context amid the Wagogo people, equally Vallejo (2007) notes. There is non a instant inwards the Wagogo`s life that does non take away hold musical back upward too muheme, inwards its original context, is an example.
Makumbigawadala is an initiation ritual (rite of passage). It includes the circumcision, cigotogoto, inside the ritual. This initiation ritual marks the transition of the woman someone from beingness a daughter to becoming a woman. The girls are taken to Makumbi which is the solid where, after their circumcision has taken place, the girls remain for the remainder of their initiation. The girl‟s initiation ritual is also called cigotogotocawadala or circumcision of girls.
Wagogo dancing group. courtesy Martin Neil
*Social constituent of muhemein the context of initiation/circumcision
Muheme equally a music tradition appeared too was originally performed equally constituent of the Wagogo girl` initiation/circumcision (Mapana 2007,Nyoni 1998) to serve the next gender-related too generic social functions:
To enshroud or ‘mask’ the sounds of the agony of the girls
Normally, when girls were circumcised they felt slap-up pain. The hurting caused the girls to scream loudly too inwards monastic state to maintain the screaming from beingness heard past times outsiders, especially younger girls who, it was anticipated, would go through the same hurting inwards the future, loud muheme was performed.ElisabatiMasholi, who used to live a circumciser, noted that: Calakwanzagotolawana, ng’omazatowagwakwamlilomuwahambeka. Sautizang’omazatazagakukumbilizasautizawana, sokowawonagausungumuwahahonowakugotolwa.
During the circumcision, the drums were played at a real high volume, so equally to mask the sounds of the circumcised girls. The circumcision was real painful for them (E. Masholi, personal communication, Oct 13, 2006).
Wagogo manful someone initiation dancers
This is supported past times the constituent of the igunda musical musical instrument observed amid the Wakaguru people from the Morogoro part of Tanzania which was played during boys‟ circumcision. Mlama (1973) found that “the 1 musical musical instrument which appears, [the] igunda, has limited significance inwards the play equally such. The main purpose of its beingness blown is to brand the boys‟ cries of hurting inaudible to the people at the village. This is of import because this gild expects men to live able to suffer hardship…Making cries inaudible, therefore, helps to maintain [the boys‟] manliness (p.60).
To educate the immature girls
The vocal texts, learned past times the girls inwards singing sessions after the circumcision too during the grooming sessions inwards the makumbi [initiation], provided the main teaching materials for grooming girls to acquire demeanour acceptable inwards the society. For example, these vocal lyrics contain instructions on how the girls should deed when talking alongside their parents:
Ane kongo gwe-kongo nomliga kaya I swear that I cannot disrespect my elders
Hamba sogo-Mwiko nomliga kaya I cannot disrespect my father
Hamba nyina- Mwiko nomliga kaya. I cannot disrespect my mother.
The initiated daughter is singing that she should comport herself equally a grown woman. She should ever live respectful of her elders. This variety of cultural educational activity through muheme songs was described past times dissimilar Gogo interviewees, including this one:
Cagotolagawana, nakwimbazinyimbo ho ciwapelemahweso,
wawenaheshimakwawalezinawanhuwose
We used to circumcise girls too trip the lite fantastic for them inwards monastic state to give them the dependent to honor their elders too other people, equally good (M. Ngoli, personal communication, Oct 18, 2006).
To celebrate the communities credence of the girls alter of status
Traditionally, a Gogo daughter could non live considered an adult woman someone until she had undergone this procedure. Consequently, a woman someone could non get hitched alongside without beingness circumcised. Communities celebrated the alter inwards the circumcised girls‟ condition from children to women:
Catowagang`omayamuheme, soko ye nyemo. Ai
yalisherehevyonowanawavinwanawawahapa, wanzawanhumtutu
Muheme was played because it was a sign of happiness after circumcision [whenthe] girls danced because they [were] happy to live [recognized as] grown up, at nowadays (J.Yohana, personal communication, Oct 16, 2006).
Wagogo dancing group. courtesy Martin Neil
To console the circumcised girls
Because the deed of circumcision was painful, dissimilar songs were sung to comfort the circumcised or initiated girls. The next vocal lyrics furnish an example:
Mpelawalimubigwe, mpelawalimubigwe, sesecausesanembazo
Mpelawalimubigwempelawalimubigwe, sesecausesanembazo
Look how beautiful you lot are; earlier circumcision you lot were non that beautiful.
This variety of vocal attempted to brand the initiated girls experience that the circumcision physical care for helped them to take away hold a healthier body stronger physiologically. These songs texts were intended to preserve the girls pick out the physical care for equally expected past times the society:
Ng’omayamuhemeyawatazagawanawonowagotolwewehuliceviswanuhononyimbozikwimb
wa, zanozagawehulicevyonoainkhaniyasinjenzi, langakilamunhuyopkolelamumo.
The trip the lite fantastic was used to console the circumcised girls so that they could reckon the activity equally a normal affair which everybody had to go through. Masholi continues past times proverb that:
Ng’omaaiwatowelwagawanyamuluzi, ikuwakumbucizavyonocivinilwa, nawacisangalaza.
It was used past times the circumcised girls to construct a feeling of pride too of beingness superior because they had gone through the physical care for of circumcision (E. Masholi, personal communication, Oct 13, 2006).
The Zawose household unit of measurement performing a traditional trip the lite fantastic alongside the schools of Abu Dhabi. http://canvas-of-light.blogspot.com/
This is like to the Wagogo boys` circumcision inwards which the cipandemusic tradition is played for the same purpose. Vallejo, (2007) suggests that “ it is also used equally a way to salvage the hurting of the hereafter initiated inwards the precise instant when the cutting inwards the peel is beingness done. In monastic state to arrive at this purpose, the men environs the man child that is going to live circumcised and, at the warning signal of the honondulele (antelope horn), they projection their voices towards him piece they sing the polyphonic department of the cipande
To entertain
The music was used to entertain people inwards the community. During the initiation period, people, especially women, used to come upward together to celebrate the event. Songs were sung too the trip the lite fantastic appeared for the purpose of entertainment. In 1 song, for instance the text says:
Chazahoihe, ahechazakumlamusenyi. Mnyakayanhoweleluchenzetezajehiyihiyo,
ahechazakumlamusenyi
We take away hold come upward to celebrate the circumcision. Children too parents, do non experience lonely,
we take away hold come upward to celebrate
These vocal lyrics signal that the initiated girls too their parents were non celebrating alone, but they had other people accompanying them. During the celebration, women used to potable local beer too sometimes cows were killed. The celebration was a real large event:
Yaliinanhuninzyombahasana. Ng`omayasangalazagawanhu, hanjiwaulagagang`ombe,
wakutelekaujimbi, nawakung`wa, aluhonowagala, howakutowang`omamunomuno, so
nyemoyacigotogoto.
The trip the lite fantastic was performed because it had slap-up importance; the importance was reflected inwards their happiness. People were happy too used to potable local beer to celebrate the initiation lawsuit (E.Malebeto, personal communication, Oct 18, 2006).
To mobilize the community too emphasize the strength of the Wagogo culture
The circumcision too its` music tradition was performed every year. It brought many people to a detail place. By making it an annual event,in a specific identify inwards Ugogo, the exercise was planted equally a tradition inwards the society. It was inherited too at that spot was social continuity inwards its performance:
Cigotogotocanzakatalicilawahenga. Cavinagawanakuwapelaielimu, watujemahwesomaswanu.
Cembaga ne zinyimbokuwaletawahnu ho watugemafundishoganamnayakuheshiana.
Since the fourth dimension of our grandfathers, woman someone circumcision brought people together. This was a schoolhouse to educate the girls too the gild equally whole to live respectful too pleased alongside Wagogo customs (G. Maile, personal communication, Oct 17, 2006).
The transition of muheme begins
It is believed that the natural life of muheme began equally music for girls‟ initiation, or makumbigawadala(Nyoni, 1998). Muheme music too girls‟ circumcision civilization were inseparable. The literature provides testify that the Wagogo civilization of circumcising girls was already rigid inwards the 1800s inwards which neighbors started imitating the culture. This indicates that ,muheme music was rigid too.
Peterson, (2006) found that “in 1889, the missionary Wood spent several days inwards the Kaguru hamlet of Chief Sekwao. He was disconcerted to reveal that some of the girls at that spot had of late been circumcised, because Kaguru did non ordinarily cutting their girls. “I asked Sekwao why he allowed them to follow the Gogo custom inwards this respect”, wrote Wood. He said it was because the women too immature girls were so anxious for it (p.995).
This was followed over fourth dimension past times a catamenia of transition during which it became music widely used for political gatherings, celebrations too other secular amusement events inwards the 1960s, after Tanganyika became Independent. This transition, similarly, was followed past times some other transitional catamenia leading to the introduce inwards which it serves equally a church building music tradition. It is anticipated that,if it continues equally a living tradition, muheme may go through additional periods of transition, serving other social functions for the people of the Wagogo civilization (Mapana, 2007).
Wagogo tribesmen get together for a circumcision ceremony. 1947. By George-Rodger
Of course, the transition of a cultural activity over a catamenia of fourth dimension causes a alter inwards that activity. There is motion from 1 way of doing things to another, the 2nd sharing at to the lowest degree some elements alongside the original (Tanner 1967). These transitions, clearly, are like to other cultural transitions inwards life:the transition from adolescence to adulthood, the transition from unemployment to belongings a paid position, too so on. Almost always, “change is the upshot of the transition” (Bascom 1959:25).
Wagogo people, African queens of drums
Traditions inwards African cultures, equally alongside other cultures of the world, are ever inwards transition. Kubik (1987) emphasizes that cultural traditions are non only changing now, but mayhap from the instant they constitute themselves equally „traditions‟ take away hold ever been changing. Traditions alter at dissimilar speeds and, Kubik adds, they take away hold their ain history, socio-cultural context too structure. He suggests, specifically, that music traditions alter their shape too construction inwards accordance alongside novel emerging relationships, creating a dissimilar experience inwards the class of the transitions.
When studying music that is going or has gone through a transition, understanding the original music tradition equally much equally possible is equally of import equally understanding the tradition after changes take away hold taken place. It is, however, also of slap-up importance to covert the reasons for, too type of transition that has taken place.
Wagogo dancer. courtesy Martin Neil
Functional alter of muheme
The main factor to take away hold been influenced the functional changes of muheme from initiation to secular muheme appears to live a telephone telephone past times the Tanzanian authorities to revive too preserve Tanzanian culture. This telephone telephone was made directly after Independence (1961) past times too so President Julius KambarageNyerere. Mbuguni (1974) quotes Nyerere equally proverb “I believe that civilization is the essence too spirit of whatever nation. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 province which lacks its ain civilization is no to a greater extent than than a collection of people without the spirit which makes them a nation, Of all the crimes of colonialism, at that spot is none worse than the attempts to brand us believe nosotros had no indigenous civilization of our ain or what nosotros did take away hold was worthless-something nosotros should live ashamed of rather than a source of pride. Some of us, especially those of us who take away hold acquired a European type of education, laid ourselves out to seek to our colonial rulers that nosotros had go „civilized‟. And past times that nosotros meant that nosotros had abandoned everything alongside our ain past times too learnt to copy only European ways(p.16-17).
Of course, Nyerere was using the term „nation‟ inwards a way the colonials were, too was non reflecting an African perspective on the socio-cultural/political unit of measurement represented past times (then) Tanganyika. That issue, however, is beyond the range of this paper. Nyerere continued past times proverb that “I take away hold laid this novel Ministry to aid us find our pride inwards our ain culture. I desire it to seek out the best of the traditions too the customs of all our tribes too brand them a constituent of our national culture”(p.17).This was reinforced inwards 1995 past times the Prime Minister Rashid Kawawa inwards 1995 who said that “the main objective of national civilization is the evolution of Tanzanian nationalism too personality through the advertisement of our ain cultural activities” (p.17).
Young schoolhouse kids thrilled the crowd alongside a 15min Tanzanian dance.
Many ethnic groups inwards Tanzania responded to Nyerere‟s telephone telephone past times performing some traditional music genres which were brought forwards exterior their socio-cultural contexts. Some ritualistic or function-specific traditions were adopted for secular occasions. Muheme was 1 of these, equally Mchoya Malogo suggests:
Tulianzakuchezangomazamuhemezakisiasa (utamaduni) mwaka 1966. Tulichezawakatiwakuwakaribishawageniwakisiasa, kwenyemikutanoyahadharanawakatimwinginetulichezambeleyawagenirasmi
Our grouping started playing secular muheme inwards 1966. We played to welcome political leaders at political meetings; sometimes nosotros fifty-fifty played inwards front end of presidents (M. Malogo, personal communication, Oct 17, 2006).
The Zawose Family (Tanzania) aims to proceed the legacy of Hukwe Zawose, 1 of the World's Music stars. http://canvas-of-light.blogspot.com/
Social functions of secular muheme
Since that time, the utilisation of the muheme music tradition amid the Wagogo of the Dodoma part tin live found inwards political contexts, education, mobilization of the population too entertainment. The basic social functions of secular muheme became:
To enhance challenges amid the groups
In monastic state to promote Wagogo music, competitions were held annually. This encouraged groups to compose special songs, some praising themselves equally singers who were meliorate than others. These kinds of songs helped to create challenges amid the groups, hence, each grouping inwards every corner of Nyaugogo was active. However, according to a recent interview alongside Mchoya Malogo, “These days competitions are non organized because at that spot is less involvement inwards such things from members of the society, youth inwards particular” (M. Malogo, personal communication, Oct 17, 2006).
To create back upward for political campaigns
Muheme music was too is used during political campaigns to encourage people to attend political meetings too back upward a political party. The Nyereremuheme grouping from Chamwino hamlet has supported the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party. During elections, the grouping has ever been used past times the CCM for their campaigns inwards dissimilar areas inwards Tanzania. It is believed that using the muheme songs create unity amid people.
The transition of the muhememusic tradition from political usage to the church building began to gain popularity inwards the 1998 when the authorities banned woman someone circumcision inwards Tanzania (Mapana 2007).
Social functions of the muheme music tradition inwards the Anglican Diocese of Central Tanganyika, Dodoma.
Early missionaries held the musical traditions of the Wagogo inwards real depression esteem. Peterson (2006:1008) found the following: “In 1898, Miss Pickthall adopted an baby she named Hephzibah. When the daughter married a instructor inwards 1912, Pickthall organized a church building wedding ceremony too taught local villagers to sing “a real pretty Welsh tune…[which is] to pick out the identify of every objectionable vocal that they take away hold hitherto sung inwards their ain villages on such occasions”(p.1008).
The 4th Bishop of the Anglican Church of Central Tanganyika, Bishop Madinda, was the rootage Tanzanian Mgogo diocesan bishop to give emphasis to the intergration of Wagogo music traditions inwards church building services (Mapana, 2007). Muheme, inwards this case, was a priority. Muheme inwards the church building is believed to serve a number of social functions. Muheme
A tool for encouraging people to bring together the church
In this department at that spot are 2 sub-factors that were mentioned past times Wagogo who were interviewed. First, many people bring together the church building because the church building has permitted traditional music to live performed inwards the church. During 1 concert, the past times too so Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Central Tanganyika, Bishop Kusenha, addressed the audience inwards Chamwino village, pointing out some historical facts. From the earliest days of the Anglican Church inwards Tanganyika inwards the tardily 1800s through the 1960s the number of churchgoers inwards the Anglican Church inwards Dodoma increased slowly. From 1970s to 1990s, however, the number of churchgoers increased to a greater extent than rapidly. This, Kusenha believed, was because the Anglican Church began using indigenous music traditions inwards the church.
Wagogo elderberry alongside pollex piano. courtesy Martin Neil
Second, after woman someone circumcision was abandoned past times the Government inwards 1998, many muheme adherents joined the church building because the music was already inwards the church. It has been also noted that this music is a cultural cornerstone amid Wagogo women. Many women appear to take away hold joined the church building because of the utilisation of muheme music. This was strongly supported past times the Assistant Bishop when he said:
Hatakamakikongweatapitabarabarani, akisikiangomayamuhemeinaliakanisani, lazimaatageukanakujakuisikiliza,
nahivyondivyoataanzakuzoeakanisakidogokidogonakuhamia
If it happens that an old adult woman passes past times the church building too hears muhemein the church, she must plough dorsum too follow where the drums are, too so slow she tin bring together the church building (A. Kusenha, personal communication, Feb 13, 2005).
Adds beauty to the church building service too makes the service active
This is accomplished through performance of dissimilar sections of muheme at dissimilar points inwards the church building service. This includes introducing the church building service, welcoming the preacher, singing during thanksgiving too ending the service.
Wagogo elderberry dancing to drum beats. courtesy Martin Neil
To remind people inwards the church building of their sins
Elia Malebeto, a church building catechist, said:
Mlimomuwaha wan g`omaazinikuwakukwegawanhunanyimbozonowakwimbazikuwahomelelawanhuwubiwaowamnhumbula, au zikuwakumbucizawubiwao nosotros hayohayo,
nyimbozikuwafundawanhuwampitucilemulungu.
The muheme songs serve a major constituent inwards the church building inwards that the songs are used to remind people to halt their sins too plough dorsum to God. If somebody is going against God‟s will, the songs remind him or her to halt next the devil. Therefore, songs are used to instruct people to live obedient to God (E. Malebeto, personal communication, Oct 18, 2006).
Other factors that led to changes inwards social functions from secular uses of muhemeto its appearance inwards the church building include:
Wagogo elder: courtesy Martin Neil
Cultural awareness of the Wagogo
As the Wagogo take away hold realized that the utilisation of their ain music inwards church building is non sinful, the utilisation of muheme inwards the church building amid the Anglicans of the Diocese of Central Tanganyika has go widely accepted. People are at nowadays complimentary to utilisation their ain traditions to convey them closer to God:
Hukonyumawatuwalikuwawanazikataangomahizi, lakinibaadayewalianzakujiuliza
mbonatunatumiautamaduniwakizungukuabudu, nakwaninitusitumieutamaduniwetu?
Tulipogunduahilo, watuwalianzakutumiangomahizimpakasasa.
themselves: why are nosotros using the European way of worship, too why don‟t nosotros utilisation our ain traditions for worshipping? After that realization, the muheme drums started beingness employed inwards the church building upward to this moment. (I. Msulwa, personal communication, Oct 16, 2006).
Song texts are composed too sung to limited the glory of God too to advise ways inwards which the community should follow God‟s will. All compositions are based on biblical stories too full general noesis virtually the give-and-take of God.
Msafiri Zawose is a prominent Gogo instrumentalist from the Dodoma part of fundamental Tanzania. He is the boy of the tardily Dr. Hukwe Ubi Zawose, a earth renowned performer of traditional Gogo music too dance.
Gogo music features a diversity of instruments, including the limba, zeze, ndono, filimbi, too ngoma, all hand-made past times the Zawose household unit of measurement inwards their household unit of measurement chemical compound inwards Bagamoyo, Tanzania. Msafiri has followed closely inwards his father's footsteps too held on closely to the traditions of the Wagogo people equally he continues his father's legacy alongside the spirit too passion of a novel generation.
Explorer [Henry Morton Stanley inwards 1876] dancing alongside Wagogo people
Hukwe Zawose
Maduma Wagogo grouping from Tanzania performing traditional African drumming. By /mapanakedmon
The Wagogo ocucupy a terra firma inwards Tanzania known equally Ugogo (Gogoland), too it covers most of Dodoma District. This part covers an expanse of 25,612 foursquare miles, alongside an height of 480ms to 12ms higher upward ocean grade (Cidosa, 1995).
Dr Hukwe Zawose, the legendary Wagogo traditional musician; Hukwe Ubi Zawose (b. Dodoma, Tanganyika, 1938 or 1940; d. Bagamoyo, Tanzania, Dec 30, 2003) was a prominent Tanzanian musician. He was a fellow member of the Gogo ethnic grouping too played the ilimba, a large lamellophone like to the mbira, equally good equally several other traditional instruments. He was also a highly regarded singer.
He came to national too international attending after Julius Nyerere invited him to alive too piece of work inwards Dar es Salaam. He also gained much attending for his piece of work alongside Peter Gabriel, too released 2 albums (Chibite too Assembly) on Gabriel's Real World Records label. His finally release earlier his death, Assembly, was a collaborative sweat alongside producer/guitarist Michael Brook. At the 2005 Tanzania Music Awards he was given the Hall of fame award. His household unit of measurement is included inwards the 2009 documentary Throw Down Your Heart, which follows American banjo participant Béla Fleck equally he journeys through Africa.
It lies on an upland plateau of 3,000 feet too more, too comprises less than 2 per centum of Tanzania's expanse too they comprise 3% (1,735,000 people) of the population of Tanzania.
Wagogo people performing traditional dance. By /mapanakedmon
Dodoma: Where the Elephant Sank
Dodoma (Tanzania, United Republic of) became a scream earlier it became a town. There are dissimilar stories virtually how it happened. One storey is that some Wagogo stole a herd of cattle from their southern neighbours the Wahehe; the Wagogo killed too ate the animals, preserving only the tails, too when the Wahehe came looking for the lost herd all they found were the tails sticking out of a patch of swampy ground. ''Look'', said the Wagogo, ''Your cattle take away hold sunk inwards the mud, Idodomya''. Dodoma inwards chigogo agency ''it has sunk''. There is yet some other storey which is most commonly accepted on the scream Dodoma. An elephant came to potable at the nearby Kikuyu current (so named after the Mikuyu fig trees growing on its banks) too got stuck inwards the mud. Some local people who saw it exclaimed ''Idodomya'' too from that fourth dimension on the identify became known equally Idodomya, the identify where it sank.
Wago
The musical Wagogo people of Dodoma, Tanzania. By /mapanakedmon
Language
Wagogo people speak Cigogo linguistic communication which belongs to the eastern grouping of Bantu languages. Wagogo maintain their Cigogo linguistic communication rigid inside the family, fifty-fifty equally they are at nowadays speaking Kiswahili, the official national linguistic communication of Tanzania which is utilized inwards telecommunications, merchandise too commerce.
Wagogo people
History
Wagogo are indigenous Bantu people of Dodoma alongside one-half of their ruling grouping coming from Uhehe branch of Unyamwesi. They take away hold ever been where they are too take away hold seen many tribes too adventurers passing through their Ugogo (land of Wagogo).
Wagogo warriors on their way to attend a trial for witchcraft, 1909-1910
Their scream was invented sometime inwards the 19th century past times the Nyamwezi ethnic grouping caravans passing through the expanse piece it was soundless frontier territory. Richard Francis Burton claimed a real modest population for it, proverb only that a someone could walk for 2 weeks too reveal only scattered Tembes.
Young warrior from the Wagogo tribe at a cicumcision ceremony. 1947. By George-Rodger
There was too remains the job of inadequate pelting for crops too humans, the rainy flavor beingness brusk too erratic alongside frequent drought. In the 18th century the Wagogo were generally pioneer colonists from Unyamwesi too Uhehe, too are oftentimes confused alongside the Sandawe too the Kaguru. Half the ruling grouping came from Uhehe. They had a long tradition of hunting too gathering, allowing the Wanyamwezi to send the ivory to the coast, but had go agriculturalists alongside cattle past times 1890. They continued, however, to take away hold a depression regard for working the terra firma too are said to take away hold treated their agricultural slaves badly.
The Wagogo experienced famine inwards 1881, 1885, too 1888–89 (just earlier Stokes' caravan arrived) too and so 1 time again inwards 1894–95, too 1913–14. The main argue for the exceptional series of famines inwards Ugogo was its unreliable rainfall too the ensuing series of droughts.
In his mass In Darkest Africa Henry M. Stanley, piece "rescuing" Emin Pasha in monastic state to convey him to the coast, writes,
"On the 26th nosotros entered Muhalala, too on the eighth of Nov nosotros had passed through Ugogo. There is no province inwards Africa that has excited greater involvement inwards me than this. It is a ferment of problem too distraction, too a rat's nest of niggling annoyances that beset travelers from 24-hour interval to 24-hour interval piece inwards it. No natives know so good how to aggrieve too live unpleasant to travelers. One would think at that spot was a schoolhouse somewhere inwards Ugogo to instruct depression cunning too roughshod malice to the chiefs, who are masters inwards foxy-craft. Nineteen years agone I looked at this terra firma too people alongside desiring eyes.
Wagogo boys playing 'chameleon', c.1919
I saw inwards it a champaign worth some sweat to reclaim. In 6 months I felt for certain Ugogo could live made lovely too orderly, a approbation to the inhabitants too to strangers, without whatever slap-up expense or trouble. It would go a pleasant highway of human intercourse alongside far-away peoples, productive of wealth to the natives, too a comfort to caravans. I learned on arrival inwards Ugogo that I was forever debarred from the hope. It is to live the destiny of the Germans to send out this work, too I envy them. It is the worst word of all that I shall never live able to drain this cesspool of iniquitous passion, extinguish the insolence of Wagogo chiefs, too brand the terra firma clean, healthy, too fifty-fifty beautiful of view. While my best wishes volition accompany High German efforts, my hear is clouded alongside a doubtfulness that it volition ever volition live that fair terra firma of remainder too welcome I had dreamed of making it."
Wagogo boys playing 'giraffe', c.1919
The Wagogo are considered to live "sedentary but mobile cultivators" who subsist on cereals, but whose value scheme is paradoxically almost only orientated towards pastoralism, especially cattle-keeping. There are 2 seasons, cifuku (the rainy season) too cibahu (the dry out season).
Their electrical current mixed economy, is at nowadays of agriculture too herding, but most heavily depended on grain from agriculture. Traditionally, tillage piece of work parties of virtually 20 men too women were held from Jan through March, too lasted all 24-hour interval alongside a beer political party at the end. People came from an expanse less than 5 miles; generally they were unopen neighbors. Generally, however, agricultural tillage played a secondary role to the livestock cycle.
Since grain tin live extensively damaged past times birds, bush pigs, wart hogs, too baboons, men too boys take away hold the responsibleness of protecting the fields, fifty-fifty at night. Several medicinal too supernatural methods were also used for protecting fields against wild fauna too the evil influence of men.
In traditional agricultural practices, the average Wagogo did non possess a real large herd of cattle. Patterns changed, but it must live remembered that these cattle also belonged to relatives, kin, too clan members.
Wagogo people at Chamwino,Tanzania
Diet
The traditional staple nutrient was a thick porridge (ugali) made from sorghum or millet flour. It was consumed alongside a side dish made from greenish vegetables, meat, or mhopota (churned milk). Milk, which was relatively scarce, especially during the long dry out season, was consumed inwards several dissimilar ways. Only on for certain occasions was meat consumed; cattle were never deliberately slaughtered for consumption. However, livestock had to live slaughtered during rituals or when the cattle were old, too could live used for such ceremonial feasts equally childbirth, weddings, too funerals. Most neighbors shared inwards this consumption.
Wagogo women drummers. courtesy Martin Neil
Traditional society
Influenced past times the Nyamwezi, Maasai, too Hehe, the Wagogo take away hold historically been described equally rude, brawling, too boundlessly inquisitive herders, alongside manners too tearing looks from a rough, raw way of life, physically intermixed alongside slaves from the west.
They had a genuinely pitiable reputation amid Europeans traveling through Ugogo, beingness considered suspicious, deceitful liars, insolent too cowardly. Emin Pasha, writing to his sister, reported, "We are at nowadays on the boundary of Ugogo, a province notorious for its winds, dust, scarcity of H2O too the impudence of its inhabitants". (He makes no advert of using the decease of an Askari equally an excuse to destroy 19 villages too looting some 2,000 cattle.)
Boys of Wagogo tribe apparel special headgear for Circumcision Ceremony, Tanganyika, Tanzania, 1948* George-Rodger
Social structure
Wagogo clans moved unopen to a proficient deal, dropping ties to older groupings, adopting novel links too family, novel clan names, things to avoid, affiliations, too novel ritual functions. The Gogo, inwards short, became dissimilar from what they were before.
While early on European writers emphasized the political chiefs of the Wagogo, calling them 'Sultans' equally was customary on the coast, too stressed their collection of the real profitable taxes (hongo), on scarce nutrient too water, it was actually the ritual leaders who influenced the entire country. They controlled rainmaking too fertility, medicines to protect against natural disasters or hazards, too prevented for certain resources from beingness overly used. They were non to exit their "country," they were to live rich inwards cattle, decided on circumcision too initiation ceremonies, give supernatural protection for all undertakings too live arbitrators inwards homicide, witchcraft accusations, too serious assault.
The Wagogo placed considerable value on neighborliness. After having his physical needs met, a foreign traveler would live accompanied many miles past times the immature men of a homestead inwards monastic state to identify him safely on his way. The homestead grouping was so fundamental to Gogo gild that people who had died peculiarly, (struck downward past times lighting or a contagious disease) were thrown into the bush or the torso of a baobab tree, for such a someone had no homestead too could go an "evil spirit" who associated alongside sorcerers or witches.
Wagogo Mirungu
Family structure
Most brothers went to slap-up lengths to assist their sisters, who oftentimes lived alongside their brothers inwards sickness until they recovered, for brothers take away hold rigid moral too legal obligations to fulfill these duties inwards cooperation alongside their sisters' husbands. Even after inwards life, sisters too brothers proceed to see each other, a married adult woman never beingness fully incorporated into her husband's group.
Wagogo African queens of drums. By /mapanakedmon
Marriage
While the bulk of Wagogo take away hold only 1 married adult woman at whatever given time, most found polygyny to live highly valued too carrying a high priority. It was the prerogative of older, well-established men. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 reasonably prosperous human could promise to take away hold 2 too sometimes 3 wives, too sometimes together.
Most marriages took identify inside a day's walking distance after understanding is reached on the number of livestock to live included inwards the bridewealth, only too so is the transfer made. Even a hundred years later, bridewealth is soundless ordinarily given only inwards livestock too a high proportion of courtroom cases involve the giving or render of bridewealth. The divorce charge per unit of measurement inwards Ugogo was real low, for few marriages ended inwards divorce. Even after divorce, all children born during the matrimony belonged to the ex-husband, "where the cattle came from." "If you lot go somewhere too get hitched alongside the kid of others, too so all your wife's relatives go your relatives, because you lot take away hold married the child, too so you lot volition beloved fifty-fifty them.("From Rigby's mass Cattle too Kinship") Lovers of married women could never, however, claim their offspring. If a married adult man had given bridewealth for his married adult woman who was meaning earlier he married her, he must soundless pick out paternity of the child.
Defense
Defense against the Kisongo, Maasai, too Wahehe was organized too based on historic catamenia groups of warriors, much equally the Maasai. This "military" organization was generally used for local defense, although it could live used for cattle raids against others. When an alert was sounded all able-bodied men were to pick out upward arms too run towards the telephone telephone (this did non ever piece of work smoothly).
source:http://mapanakedmon2010.wordpress.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gogo_people
Wagogo the musical people of Tanzania. By /mapanakedmon
Muheme musical Traditions too Makumbigawadala (rite of passage) ceremony
Transitions inwards the Social Functions of the Muheme Music Tradition of the Wagogo People of Dodoma, Tanzania
Kedmon Mapana
Department of Fine too Performing Arts University of Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania
The musical tradition of muheme is associated alongside diverse songs too dances performed during the Wagogo girls‟ initiation ceremony, makumbigawadala. The muheme music tradition has its ain historyand socio-cultural context amid the Wagogo people, equally Vallejo (2007) notes. There is non a instant inwards the Wagogo`s life that does non take away hold musical back upward too muheme, inwards its original context, is an example.
Makumbigawadala is an initiation ritual (rite of passage). It includes the circumcision, cigotogoto, inside the ritual. This initiation ritual marks the transition of the woman someone from beingness a daughter to becoming a woman. The girls are taken to Makumbi which is the solid where, after their circumcision has taken place, the girls remain for the remainder of their initiation. The girl‟s initiation ritual is also called cigotogotocawadala or circumcision of girls.
Wagogo dancing group. courtesy Martin Neil
*Social constituent of muhemein the context of initiation/circumcision
Muheme equally a music tradition appeared too was originally performed equally constituent of the Wagogo girl` initiation/circumcision (Mapana 2007,Nyoni 1998) to serve the next gender-related too generic social functions:
To enshroud or ‘mask’ the sounds of the agony of the girls
Normally, when girls were circumcised they felt slap-up pain. The hurting caused the girls to scream loudly too inwards monastic state to maintain the screaming from beingness heard past times outsiders, especially younger girls who, it was anticipated, would go through the same hurting inwards the future, loud muheme was performed.ElisabatiMasholi, who used to live a circumciser, noted that: Calakwanzagotolawana, ng’omazatowagwakwamlilomuwahambeka. Sautizang’omazatazagakukumbilizasautizawana, sokowawonagausungumuwahahonowakugotolwa.
During the circumcision, the drums were played at a real high volume, so equally to mask the sounds of the circumcised girls. The circumcision was real painful for them (E. Masholi, personal communication, Oct 13, 2006).
Wagogo manful someone initiation dancers
This is supported past times the constituent of the igunda musical musical instrument observed amid the Wakaguru people from the Morogoro part of Tanzania which was played during boys‟ circumcision. Mlama (1973) found that “the 1 musical musical instrument which appears, [the] igunda, has limited significance inwards the play equally such. The main purpose of its beingness blown is to brand the boys‟ cries of hurting inaudible to the people at the village. This is of import because this gild expects men to live able to suffer hardship…Making cries inaudible, therefore, helps to maintain [the boys‟] manliness (p.60).
To educate the immature girls
The vocal texts, learned past times the girls inwards singing sessions after the circumcision too during the grooming sessions inwards the makumbi [initiation], provided the main teaching materials for grooming girls to acquire demeanour acceptable inwards the society. For example, these vocal lyrics contain instructions on how the girls should deed when talking alongside their parents:
Ane kongo gwe-kongo nomliga kaya I swear that I cannot disrespect my elders
Hamba sogo-Mwiko nomliga kaya I cannot disrespect my father
Hamba nyina- Mwiko nomliga kaya. I cannot disrespect my mother.
The initiated daughter is singing that she should comport herself equally a grown woman. She should ever live respectful of her elders. This variety of cultural educational activity through muheme songs was described past times dissimilar Gogo interviewees, including this one:
Cagotolagawana, nakwimbazinyimbo ho ciwapelemahweso,
wawenaheshimakwawalezinawanhuwose
We used to circumcise girls too trip the lite fantastic for them inwards monastic state to give them the dependent to honor their elders too other people, equally good (M. Ngoli, personal communication, Oct 18, 2006).
To celebrate the communities credence of the girls alter of status
Traditionally, a Gogo daughter could non live considered an adult woman someone until she had undergone this procedure. Consequently, a woman someone could non get hitched alongside without beingness circumcised. Communities celebrated the alter inwards the circumcised girls‟ condition from children to women:
Catowagang`omayamuheme, soko ye nyemo. Ai
yalisherehevyonowanawavinwanawawahapa, wanzawanhumtutu
Muheme was played because it was a sign of happiness after circumcision [whenthe] girls danced because they [were] happy to live [recognized as] grown up, at nowadays (J.Yohana, personal communication, Oct 16, 2006).
Wagogo dancing group. courtesy Martin Neil
To console the circumcised girls
Because the deed of circumcision was painful, dissimilar songs were sung to comfort the circumcised or initiated girls. The next vocal lyrics furnish an example:
Mpelawalimubigwe, mpelawalimubigwe, sesecausesanembazo
Mpelawalimubigwempelawalimubigwe, sesecausesanembazo
Look how beautiful you lot are; earlier circumcision you lot were non that beautiful.
This variety of vocal attempted to brand the initiated girls experience that the circumcision physical care for helped them to take away hold a healthier body stronger physiologically. These songs texts were intended to preserve the girls pick out the physical care for equally expected past times the society:
Ng’omayamuhemeyawatazagawanawonowagotolwewehuliceviswanuhononyimbozikwimb
wa, zanozagawehulicevyonoainkhaniyasinjenzi, langakilamunhuyopkolelamumo.
The trip the lite fantastic was used to console the circumcised girls so that they could reckon the activity equally a normal affair which everybody had to go through. Masholi continues past times proverb that:
Ng’omaaiwatowelwagawanyamuluzi, ikuwakumbucizavyonocivinilwa, nawacisangalaza.
It was used past times the circumcised girls to construct a feeling of pride too of beingness superior because they had gone through the physical care for of circumcision (E. Masholi, personal communication, Oct 13, 2006).
The Zawose household unit of measurement performing a traditional trip the lite fantastic alongside the schools of Abu Dhabi. http://canvas-of-light.blogspot.com/
This is like to the Wagogo boys` circumcision inwards which the cipandemusic tradition is played for the same purpose. Vallejo, (2007) suggests that “ it is also used equally a way to salvage the hurting of the hereafter initiated inwards the precise instant when the cutting inwards the peel is beingness done. In monastic state to arrive at this purpose, the men environs the man child that is going to live circumcised and, at the warning signal of the honondulele (antelope horn), they projection their voices towards him piece they sing the polyphonic department of the cipande
To entertain
The music was used to entertain people inwards the community. During the initiation period, people, especially women, used to come upward together to celebrate the event. Songs were sung too the trip the lite fantastic appeared for the purpose of entertainment. In 1 song, for instance the text says:
Chazahoihe, ahechazakumlamusenyi. Mnyakayanhoweleluchenzetezajehiyihiyo,
ahechazakumlamusenyi
We take away hold come upward to celebrate the circumcision. Children too parents, do non experience lonely,
we take away hold come upward to celebrate
Wagogo musicians
These vocal lyrics signal that the initiated girls too their parents were non celebrating alone, but they had other people accompanying them. During the celebration, women used to potable local beer too sometimes cows were killed. The celebration was a real large event:
Yaliinanhuninzyombahasana. Ng`omayasangalazagawanhu, hanjiwaulagagang`ombe,
wakutelekaujimbi, nawakung`wa, aluhonowagala, howakutowang`omamunomuno, so
nyemoyacigotogoto.
The trip the lite fantastic was performed because it had slap-up importance; the importance was reflected inwards their happiness. People were happy too used to potable local beer to celebrate the initiation lawsuit (E.Malebeto, personal communication, Oct 18, 2006).
To mobilize the community too emphasize the strength of the Wagogo culture
The circumcision too its` music tradition was performed every year. It brought many people to a detail place. By making it an annual event,in a specific identify inwards Ugogo, the exercise was planted equally a tradition inwards the society. It was inherited too at that spot was social continuity inwards its performance:
Cigotogotocanzakatalicilawahenga. Cavinagawanakuwapelaielimu, watujemahwesomaswanu.
Cembaga ne zinyimbokuwaletawahnu ho watugemafundishoganamnayakuheshiana.
Since the fourth dimension of our grandfathers, woman someone circumcision brought people together. This was a schoolhouse to educate the girls too the gild equally whole to live respectful too pleased alongside Wagogo customs (G. Maile, personal communication, Oct 17, 2006).
Wagogo guiter. courtesy Martin Neil
The transition of muheme begins
It is believed that the natural life of muheme began equally music for girls‟ initiation, or makumbigawadala(Nyoni, 1998). Muheme music too girls‟ circumcision civilization were inseparable. The literature provides testify that the Wagogo civilization of circumcising girls was already rigid inwards the 1800s inwards which neighbors started imitating the culture. This indicates that ,muheme music was rigid too.
The Zawose family, spreading the music of the Wagogo people of Tanzania.http://canvas-of-light.blogspot.com/
Peterson, (2006) found that “in 1889, the missionary Wood spent several days inwards the Kaguru hamlet of Chief Sekwao. He was disconcerted to reveal that some of the girls at that spot had of late been circumcised, because Kaguru did non ordinarily cutting their girls. “I asked Sekwao why he allowed them to follow the Gogo custom inwards this respect”, wrote Wood. He said it was because the women too immature girls were so anxious for it (p.995).
This was followed over fourth dimension past times a catamenia of transition during which it became music widely used for political gatherings, celebrations too other secular amusement events inwards the 1960s, after Tanganyika became Independent. This transition, similarly, was followed past times some other transitional catamenia leading to the introduce inwards which it serves equally a church building music tradition. It is anticipated that,if it continues equally a living tradition, muheme may go through additional periods of transition, serving other social functions for the people of the Wagogo civilization (Mapana, 2007).
Wagogo tribesmen get together for a circumcision ceremony. 1947. By George-Rodger
Of course, the transition of a cultural activity over a catamenia of fourth dimension causes a alter inwards that activity. There is motion from 1 way of doing things to another, the 2nd sharing at to the lowest degree some elements alongside the original (Tanner 1967). These transitions, clearly, are like to other cultural transitions inwards life:the transition from adolescence to adulthood, the transition from unemployment to belongings a paid position, too so on. Almost always, “change is the upshot of the transition” (Bascom 1959:25).
Wagogo people, African queens of drums
Traditions inwards African cultures, equally alongside other cultures of the world, are ever inwards transition. Kubik (1987) emphasizes that cultural traditions are non only changing now, but mayhap from the instant they constitute themselves equally „traditions‟ take away hold ever been changing. Traditions alter at dissimilar speeds and, Kubik adds, they take away hold their ain history, socio-cultural context too structure. He suggests, specifically, that music traditions alter their shape too construction inwards accordance alongside novel emerging relationships, creating a dissimilar experience inwards the class of the transitions.
Wagogo drummer
When studying music that is going or has gone through a transition, understanding the original music tradition equally much equally possible is equally of import equally understanding the tradition after changes take away hold taken place. It is, however, also of slap-up importance to covert the reasons for, too type of transition that has taken place.
Wagogo dancer. courtesy Martin Neil
Functional alter of muheme
The main factor to take away hold been influenced the functional changes of muheme from initiation to secular muheme appears to live a telephone telephone past times the Tanzanian authorities to revive too preserve Tanzanian culture. This telephone telephone was made directly after Independence (1961) past times too so President Julius KambarageNyerere. Mbuguni (1974) quotes Nyerere equally proverb “I believe that civilization is the essence too spirit of whatever nation. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 province which lacks its ain civilization is no to a greater extent than than a collection of people without the spirit which makes them a nation, Of all the crimes of colonialism, at that spot is none worse than the attempts to brand us believe nosotros had no indigenous civilization of our ain or what nosotros did take away hold was worthless-something nosotros should live ashamed of rather than a source of pride. Some of us, especially those of us who take away hold acquired a European type of education, laid ourselves out to seek to our colonial rulers that nosotros had go „civilized‟. And past times that nosotros meant that nosotros had abandoned everything alongside our ain past times too learnt to copy only European ways(p.16-17).
Msafiri Zawose is renowned for his traditional Gogo vogue music, which relies heavily on the zeze & limba inwards combination alongside distinct lyrical harmonies. This rich musical tradition is from the Wagogo people Dodoma inwards Central Tanzania. Msafiri Zawose, boy of the tardily Dr. Hukwe Zawose, continues this musical tradition piece fusing alongside to a greater extent than modern styles, creating a genuinely distinct too unique sound
Of course, Nyerere was using the term „nation‟ inwards a way the colonials were, too was non reflecting an African perspective on the socio-cultural/political unit of measurement represented past times (then) Tanganyika. That issue, however, is beyond the range of this paper. Nyerere continued past times proverb that “I take away hold laid this novel Ministry to aid us find our pride inwards our ain culture. I desire it to seek out the best of the traditions too the customs of all our tribes too brand them a constituent of our national culture”(p.17).This was reinforced inwards 1995 past times the Prime Minister Rashid Kawawa inwards 1995 who said that “the main objective of national civilization is the evolution of Tanzanian nationalism too personality through the advertisement of our ain cultural activities” (p.17).
Young schoolhouse kids thrilled the crowd alongside a 15min Tanzanian dance.
Many ethnic groups inwards Tanzania responded to Nyerere‟s telephone telephone past times performing some traditional music genres which were brought forwards exterior their socio-cultural contexts. Some ritualistic or function-specific traditions were adopted for secular occasions. Muheme was 1 of these, equally Mchoya Malogo suggests:
Tulianzakuchezangomazamuhemezakisiasa (utamaduni) mwaka 1966. Tulichezawakatiwakuwakaribishawageniwakisiasa, kwenyemikutanoyahadharanawakatimwinginetulichezambeleyawagenirasmi
Our grouping started playing secular muheme inwards 1966. We played to welcome political leaders at political meetings; sometimes nosotros fifty-fifty played inwards front end of presidents (M. Malogo, personal communication, Oct 17, 2006).
The Zawose Family (Tanzania) aims to proceed the legacy of Hukwe Zawose, 1 of the World's Music stars. http://canvas-of-light.blogspot.com/
Social functions of secular muheme
Since that time, the utilisation of the muheme music tradition amid the Wagogo of the Dodoma part tin live found inwards political contexts, education, mobilization of the population too entertainment. The basic social functions of secular muheme became:
To enhance challenges amid the groups
In monastic state to promote Wagogo music, competitions were held annually. This encouraged groups to compose special songs, some praising themselves equally singers who were meliorate than others. These kinds of songs helped to create challenges amid the groups, hence, each grouping inwards every corner of Nyaugogo was active. However, according to a recent interview alongside Mchoya Malogo, “These days competitions are non organized because at that spot is less involvement inwards such things from members of the society, youth inwards particular” (M. Malogo, personal communication, Oct 17, 2006).
To create back upward for political campaigns
Muheme music was too is used during political campaigns to encourage people to attend political meetings too back upward a political party. The Nyereremuheme grouping from Chamwino hamlet has supported the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party. During elections, the grouping has ever been used past times the CCM for their campaigns inwards dissimilar areas inwards Tanzania. It is believed that using the muheme songs create unity amid people.
The transition of the muhememusic tradition from political usage to the church building began to gain popularity inwards the 1998 when the authorities banned woman someone circumcision inwards Tanzania (Mapana 2007).
Social functions of the muheme music tradition inwards the Anglican Diocese of Central Tanganyika, Dodoma.
Early missionaries held the musical traditions of the Wagogo inwards real depression esteem. Peterson (2006:1008) found the following: “In 1898, Miss Pickthall adopted an baby she named Hephzibah. When the daughter married a instructor inwards 1912, Pickthall organized a church building wedding ceremony too taught local villagers to sing “a real pretty Welsh tune…[which is] to pick out the identify of every objectionable vocal that they take away hold hitherto sung inwards their ain villages on such occasions”(p.1008).
The 4th Bishop of the Anglican Church of Central Tanganyika, Bishop Madinda, was the rootage Tanzanian Mgogo diocesan bishop to give emphasis to the intergration of Wagogo music traditions inwards church building services (Mapana, 2007). Muheme, inwards this case, was a priority. Muheme inwards the church building is believed to serve a number of social functions. Muheme
Wagogo people performing a dance. courtesy Martin Neil
A tool for encouraging people to bring together the church
In this department at that spot are 2 sub-factors that were mentioned past times Wagogo who were interviewed. First, many people bring together the church building because the church building has permitted traditional music to live performed inwards the church. During 1 concert, the past times too so Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Central Tanganyika, Bishop Kusenha, addressed the audience inwards Chamwino village, pointing out some historical facts. From the earliest days of the Anglican Church inwards Tanganyika inwards the tardily 1800s through the 1960s the number of churchgoers inwards the Anglican Church inwards Dodoma increased slowly. From 1970s to 1990s, however, the number of churchgoers increased to a greater extent than rapidly. This, Kusenha believed, was because the Anglican Church began using indigenous music traditions inwards the church.
Wagogo elderberry alongside pollex piano. courtesy Martin Neil
Second, after woman someone circumcision was abandoned past times the Government inwards 1998, many muheme adherents joined the church building because the music was already inwards the church. It has been also noted that this music is a cultural cornerstone amid Wagogo women. Many women appear to take away hold joined the church building because of the utilisation of muheme music. This was strongly supported past times the Assistant Bishop when he said:
Hatakamakikongweatapitabarabarani, akisikiangomayamuhemeinaliakanisani, lazimaatageukanakujakuisikiliza,
nahivyondivyoataanzakuzoeakanisakidogokidogonakuhamia
If it happens that an old adult woman passes past times the church building too hears muhemein the church, she must plough dorsum too follow where the drums are, too so slow she tin bring together the church building (A. Kusenha, personal communication, Feb 13, 2005).
Adds beauty to the church building service too makes the service active
This is accomplished through performance of dissimilar sections of muheme at dissimilar points inwards the church building service. This includes introducing the church building service, welcoming the preacher, singing during thanksgiving too ending the service.
Wagogo elderberry dancing to drum beats. courtesy Martin Neil
To remind people inwards the church building of their sins
Elia Malebeto, a church building catechist, said:
Mlimomuwaha wan g`omaazinikuwakukwegawanhunanyimbozonowakwimbazikuwahomelelawanhuwubiwaowamnhumbula, au zikuwakumbucizawubiwao nosotros hayohayo,
nyimbozikuwafundawanhuwampitucilemulungu.
The muheme songs serve a major constituent inwards the church building inwards that the songs are used to remind people to halt their sins too plough dorsum to God. If somebody is going against God‟s will, the songs remind him or her to halt next the devil. Therefore, songs are used to instruct people to live obedient to God (E. Malebeto, personal communication, Oct 18, 2006).
Other factors that led to changes inwards social functions from secular uses of muhemeto its appearance inwards the church building include:
Wagogo elder: courtesy Martin Neil
Cultural awareness of the Wagogo
As the Wagogo take away hold realized that the utilisation of their ain music inwards church building is non sinful, the utilisation of muheme inwards the church building amid the Anglicans of the Diocese of Central Tanganyika has go widely accepted. People are at nowadays complimentary to utilisation their ain traditions to convey them closer to God:
Hukonyumawatuwalikuwawanazikataangomahizi, lakinibaadayewalianzakujiuliza
mbonatunatumiautamaduniwakizungukuabudu, nakwaninitusitumieutamaduniwetu?
Tulipogunduahilo, watuwalianzakutumiangomahizimpakasasa.
themselves: why are nosotros using the European way of worship, too why don‟t nosotros utilisation our ain traditions for worshipping? After that realization, the muheme drums started beingness employed inwards the church building upward to this moment. (I. Msulwa, personal communication, Oct 16, 2006).
Song texts are composed too sung to limited the glory of God too to advise ways inwards which the community should follow God‟s will. All compositions are based on biblical stories too full general noesis virtually the give-and-take of God.
Wagogo adult woman alongside baragumu horn. courtesy Martin Neil
Msafiri Zawose is a prominent Gogo instrumentalist from the Dodoma part of fundamental Tanzania. He is the boy of the tardily Dr. Hukwe Ubi Zawose, a earth renowned performer of traditional Gogo music too dance.
Gogo music features a diversity of instruments, including the limba, zeze, ndono, filimbi, too ngoma, all hand-made past times the Zawose household unit of measurement inwards their household unit of measurement chemical compound inwards Bagamoyo, Tanzania. Msafiri has followed closely inwards his father's footsteps too held on closely to the traditions of the Wagogo people equally he continues his father's legacy alongside the spirit too passion of a novel generation.
Explorer [Henry Morton Stanley inwards 1876] dancing alongside Wagogo people
Hukwe Zawose
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