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Bira ReMbira Festival

The Bira ReMbira Festival, also known as the mbira festival, is an annual cultural event held in Harare, Zimbabwe. It celebrates the mbira, a traditional Zimbabwean ancestral instrument, promoting this musical practice that was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.

Date
Sep 25, 2026
Location
Harare
Status
Recently ended
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ZW Recently ended
Bira ReMbira Festival
Date
Sep 25, 2026
Location
Harare
Music Traditional Music Cultural Heritage

Event summary

Highlights

  • Celebration of the mbira, inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List
  • Performances by mbira players and other cultural practitioners
  • Blends music, dance, and spirituality to honor ancestral traditions
  • Encourages youth participation and intergenerational transfer of musical heritage
Known in the local Shona language as Bira ReMbira, the festival is a significant highlight during September, which is embraced as "mbira month" in Zimbabwe. It gathers mbira players, cultural enthusiasts, and members of the public, creating an atmosphere that integrates music, dance, and spirituality.

The mbira is a traditional Zimbabwean musical instrument composed of tuned metal keys attached to a wooden board, which are plucked with the thumbs. This instrument holds profound spiritual, social, and historical significance, acting as a link across generations. The festival provides a vital platform for cultural practitioners to showcase traditional music to a broader audience and encourages young people to engage with Zimbabwe's rich artistic traditions.

Government officials actively support the festival, urging participants to celebrate and pass down the mbira tradition. There is also an emphasis on developing a sustainable ecosystem around the mbira, aiming to support mbira manufacturers and enhance access to markets for these culturally important instruments.

Practical details

Before attending

Check the sources below for current opening times, admission prices and registration requirements. A date range does not mean the event runs continuously or that admission is free.

Sources and further information

Check these references for event announcements and updates before attending.

Location map

Approximate area only; exact venue coordinates are not confirmed.

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