Chivanhu
Winky D a Zimbabwean Zimbabwean reggae-dancehall artiste dropped a highly anticipated track title Chivanhu. Known for sharp social commentary on the country’s socio-political landscape which has been pointed enough to earn his music an unofficial ban from state-controlled radio. The song arrived with considerable expectation trailing him.
A promotional teaser, with a hook that translated to “he would die for telling truth” and an AI generated music video snippet of him walking into a courtroom that polarised the audience but had everyone waiting to see what truth he was ready to take a stand for…
And then he sucker-punched everyone. Chivanhu carries no political charge, yet it manages something arguably more potent: an unflinching mirror held up to the culture quietly eroding beneath our feet, a reflection so honest that no one, regardless of political persuasion, can dispute.
Chivanhu is a ChiShona term referring to the indigenous culture, traditions, and belief systems of the Shona people in Zimbabwe, encompassing traditional spirituality, social norms, moral values, and community protocols.
Chivanhu Winky D Lyrics and Translation
Ndinofira kureva!
I will die for telling the truth!
Ndinofira kureva!
I will die for telling the truth!
Ndinofira kureva!
I will die for telling the truth!
Kune vakuru vedu nhasi ndauya ndine muvhunzo
To our elders of today, I am here to ask a question
Hatingazive ramangwana tisina kuziviswa ranezuro!
We cant know the future without being told the past!
Ndinoda tivabvunze vanhu
I want to ask the people
Takazochisiya papi chivanhu?
Where did we leave our culture?
Hanzi takanzi tsvestayi mishonga
Its said we were told to leave rituals
Nyamba varikungoda kutitonga.
Yet they only wanted to rule us
Ndinogoziva sei mberi kwandinoenda ndisati ndaziva kwandabva
How do I know what’s ahead without knowing where I come from
Kusairi mombe kumashanga usina kuiratidza danga
Herding cows into the pastures without showing them the kraal
Nhai vakuruwe tarasika papi?
Hey Elders, where did we get lost?
Vanozviva zvepasichigare ndevapi?
Who knows the ancient past?
Taakuziva nhoroondo dzevamwe ko zvemhondoro dzedu isu zvakanyorwa papi
We now know other’s stories but where is our ancestors history written
Mahommed na Buddha ChiHindu ChiJudah
Muhammad and Buddha Hinduism and Judaism,
Ndizvo zvatofunda mashoko angu handirambe ndakapfunda
This is what we learn I wont hold my words
Ndinoda tivabvunze vanhu
I want to ask the people
Takazochisiya papi chivanhu?
Where did we leave our culture?
Hanzi takanzi tsvestayi mishonga
Its said we were told to leave rituals
Nyamba varikungoda kutitonga.
Yet they only wanted to rule us
Ko dai mambo tipadzidzo hedu;
Wont you give us lessons
Zvatakubatira handi zvedu.
What we caught up with isn’t ours
Rega ndivhunze ikodzero yedu.
Let me ask its our right
Takadzirasira papi tsika dzedu?
Where did we lose our culture?
Nekuda kwekudaro, takanhapwa mupfungwa!
Because of that our minds were enslaved
Zvamotosiya takadaro, takabatwa muutsva
You left us ensnared in the ashes
Tarisa kuvarungu kumaChina.
Look at the whites and the Chinese
Netsika dzavo vano shayina!
They take pride in their culture
Asi ini newe sevana vevhu patakatananga ndapashaiwa
But you and me as children of the soil we are directionless
Ndinoda tivabvunze vanhu
I want to ask the people
Takazochisiya papi chivanhu?
Where did we leave our culture?
Hanzi takanzi tsvestayi mishonga
Its said we were told to leave rituals
Nyamba varikungoda kungotitonga.
Yet they only wanted to rule us
Ndinofira kureva!
I will die for telling the truth!
Ndinofira kureva!
I will die for telling the truth!
Ndinofira kureva!
I will die for telling the truth!
Kunevakuru vedu nhasi ndauya ndine muvhunzo
To the elders, the leaders of today, I am here to ask them a question,
Hatingazive ramangwana tisina kuziviswa ranezuro!
Video by Jusa Dementor
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