Sunday 26 November 2023, Alliance Française de Harare will host a musical fusion of Reggae Grooves and Zimbabwe Traditional Vibes.
“In view of the new Jamaican consulate (opened in July 2022), the event presents an opportunity to welcome the Jamaican community into the Zimbabwean cultural space, which will enable both to explore further artistic opportunities, going forward”, said Joshua Godobo the Communication Officer at Allaince Française de Harare.
The event is geared at promoting cultural exchange between the Jamaican Culture and Zimbabwean tradition.
“The event is earmarked to support local community and as well as promoting cultural exchange”, said Godobo.
Several artists are lined-up to perform on the peculiar event.
Ms Muchaonza Rosemary Muchengeti, the Honorary Consul of Jamaica to Zimbabwe last year said she will also facilitate arts and cultural exchanges, with artists from both countries free to visit and perform.
The cultural exchange is an intiative of both countries who are poised on promoting business engagement in various dimensions.
Godobo said that, “This musical event promises to be a unique and exciting experience, featuring a range of activities, including Live Music Performances by Mannex and the Reggaestra Band, Ekhaya Music, Ammi Jamanda and Marcy Janyure”.
Plans are being made through the Jamaican Consul to have Jamaican artists based in Zimbabwe to perform on the event.
Besides the musical extravaganza, various local cultural exhibitions will be exhibited on the day.
Reggae’s roots trace back to the late 1940s and 1950s when the Jamaican recording industry was in its infancy.
Reggae music became famous back in the late 1960s, when it became the primary popular style of music in Jamaica as it quickly emerged as the country’s dominant music.
By the 1970s it had become an international style that was particularly popular in Britain, the United States, and Africa.
Its origins reflect the cultural hybridity for which the Caribbean is known.
Reggae music is widely perceived as a voice of the oppressed.
Reggea is usually played on staccato beats played by a guitar or piano and sometimes both on the off-beats of a measure.
This gives most reggae music a ‘jumpy’ feel. The one drop rhythm is another pattern often noticed in reggae.
Zimbabwe’s 1980, 18 April Independence day was graced by the late reggae icon Bob Marley, who performed a popular song, ‘Zimbabwe’, a special dedication to the country.
This shows how Zimbabwe and Jamaica have been culturally connected.
Zimbabwe dancehall, is a music genre popular with the youth in the country which heavily borrows from Jamaican reggae music.
Over the years Jamaican artists had been visiting and performing here in Zimbabwe and a handful of Zimbabwean artists have also visited and performed in Jamaica.
