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| Solomon Murungu was born and raised at Makonde village in the district of Makoni in eastern highlands of Zimbabwe. During his early childhood, he was exposed to both traditional Shona customs and protocols of worship as well as western forms of religion as a pupil at missionary schools. The cornerstone of Shona religion is a based on the reality that a deceased ancestor’s spirit continues to guide and protect his or her descendants. Descendants in turn appease their ancestor through offerings, one of which is the music of the mbira. While western religions once branded mbira and Shona worship as devilish practices, it was with great interest that he witnessed his parents practicing both forms of worship. It was during these formative years that he developed a keen interest in the practice of African religion. An avid mbira researcher, and Shona culture educator, Mr. Murungu is particularly interested in the liturgical format of ancient Shona worship as inferred in the literature and prose of mbira. His work at Zambuko Projects Unlimited seeks to promote cultural understanding through shared values and experiences at all age levels. Highlighting the culture and traditions of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, Zambuko Projects® fosters, particularly in young people, an enhanced understanding, appreciation and awareness of cultural diversity as a vehicle for global understanding and conflict avoidance. As an educator, Mr. Murungu has presented mbira and Shona culture forums at schools, universities and cultural festivals in North America. In 1999, he was a cultural consultant to the Houston International Festival. He has represented Zimbabwe and Shona culture at the Boston and Vermont International Festivals since 1997. WGBH-Boston’s Sound and Spirit radio program has collaborated with Mr. Murungu on mbira inspired broadcast programs. His mbira lecture and demonstration programs have been well received at many institutions in North America including Museum of Fine Arts – Boston, DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Worcester Art Museum, University of Connecticut-Storrs, Rhode Island College, Springfield Museum of Fine Art, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and many other institutions. He established the first website dedicated to mbira music and Shona traditions, www.zambuko.com, in 1994. He can be reached at Solomon.Murungu@Zambuko.com. |
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