The mobilization of popular music in the promotion of national unity in Zimbabwe

Abstract

ABSTRACT Almost three decades now after Zimbabwe's independence, the marshalling of popular music in order to propel the nationalist movement has still not received the academic attention it deserves. This article analyses the crucuality of popular music in the forging of national unity during and after the liberation struggle in Zimbabwe. The armed nationalist struggle, epically referred to as chimurenga, was significantly buoyed up by war songs invariably composed inside and outside the country as the war heated up. The indispensability of (national) unity in supporting the war effort so as to win independence compelled the freedom fighters and the masses to constantly manipulate popular songs to harness those cultural traditions vital in rallying the masses behind the nationalist cause. The war of liberation gave birth to chimurenga music, a homogeneity of musical styles bound together by their use as a medium for the articulation of an anti-colonial and anti-imperialist sensibility. I contend that although national unity remains one of Zimbabwe's greatest challenges, historically through chimurenga songs, the country has been able to achieve some notable level of national cohesion.