THE COSMAS MAGAYA CULTURAL ARTS AND EDUCATION CENTER
In the Shona language of Zimbabwe Humwe means working together to achieve a shared goal.
The idea of Humwe came from a desire to help Zimbabwean youth learn the history and richness of Shona culture.
Our founder, Tsitsi Hantuba, was born into a family that embraced and followed Shona traditions. Unlike the average child growing up in Zimbabwe, mbira music was a normal part of Tsitsi’s everyday life.
Most Zimbabwean children grow up believing that traditional African music and culture are inferior to all other cultures as pop culture typically presents it in a negative light.
Teaching the traditional music and culture of Zimbabwe
Our Vision
Humwe envisions a world where traditional Zimbabwean music and culture is embraced and celebrated.
Our Mission
Our mission is to preserve the traditional music and culture of Zimbabwe and to improve the lives of those in the communities that we serve.
Our Journey
Humwe started its journey in September 2015 with a total of 12 school aged children from rural Mhondoro and we only taught them mbira.
We have now grown to 31 students and we teach mbira, marimba, hosho, dance, and singing. Our students have been invited to perform at school events and other community events.
To help our students develop into well rounded, strong, empowered young adults we also provide them with motivational support by exposing them to various inspirational teachers that they can relate to.
MUSIC AND DANCE
Humwe provides free music and dance classes to all students in the program. The students are taught how to play mbira, hosho, singing, dance and marimba.
We educate the students on the history and the meaning of the songs that they learn. With the influx of western music, most mbira songs that play on the radio or television tend to be a fusion of western and traditional influences. Our teachers focus on teaching students’ traditional songs and dances in order to preserve and promote traditional music and culture.
The students spend 4 to 5 hours at the Centre during each practice session. During that time we provide them with a meal and a snack as most of the kids will not have had a meal prior to coming to the Centre.
COSMAS MAGAYA
Tsitsi’s perspective on traditional culture and service to others was heavily influenced by her late father, the world-renowned mbira teacher, player, author and cultural ambassador, Cosmas Magaya. He served as a great example on how to be grounded in one’s own cultural heritage but be a lifelong learner of other cultures.
A teacher of his own culture and a learner of other cultures, Cosmas made significant contributions to Zimbabwean music community around the world and was an advocate for his community in Mhondoro, Zimbabwe.
Due to these many contributions, the Centre in Mhondoro will be named after Cosmas when it is built.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Our team is dedicated to creating an inclusive, respectful and safe space for our students to learn and grow.
We are parents, aunts, uncles, advocates, cultural ambassadors and we are committed to the well-being of our students.
Our team’s core beliefs are: Integrity; Respect; and Fairness.