Musha Rudziiko (Cover)

Musha Rudziiko is a beautiful song originally by Leonard Dembo and The Barura Express. The rhythm of the song has the feel of the traditional Shangara/Mhande rhythm. To me, it feels halfway trad-mbira style and half sungura. The hook says, “what kind of a home is this where there are no drums playing? Let the drums play! What kind of a home is this where the children don’t ‘cry’? Let the children ‘cry’! What kind of a home is this where the children don’t have any joy? Let the children be happy!” The verse says “we don’t see any elders any longer. What kind of animal has entered this home? Why are you upset... you are the father of the house. Kids do upsetting things sometimes, don’t let it trouble your mind. Why are you upset when you are the head of the home? It’s because the lady of the house laid into me really strongly (that’s how I interpret that last line... the direct translation would probably make no sense to a non-Shona speaker 🤣🤣🤣)🤣🤣🤣”.

Leonard Dembo, Leonard Zhakata, Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi, sungura, Hande, Shangara, Zimbabwe, Harare, Bulawayo, Southern Africa, Mbira, Ngoma