Zimbabwean reggae? Not quite. As the title of this new compilation on the Analog Africa label suggests, what we have here is actually chigiyo, a genre rooted both in Jamaican reggae and Zimbabwean mbira traditions.
By Jah Rebel
The style emerged in the wake of Bob Marley & The Wailers’ historic 1980 performance celebrating Zimbabwe’s independence. That concert left such a deep impression that, from then on, local acts were expected to include at least a few reggae songs in their live sets.
Instead of merely imitating the Jamaican sound, the members of Zig-Zag Band decided to fuse reggae with authentic Zimbabwean elements, laying the foundation for the chigiyo genre (named after a traditional dance from the Chimanimani region).
The band was founded in the early nineteen eighties by mentor Robson Kadenhe and guitarist–bandleader Gilbert Zvamaida in Kwekwe, a city in central Zimbabwe. In their early days, they served as the backing band for Oliver Mtukudzi, even recording his ‘Wavona’ album.
Zig-Zag Band’s breakthrough came in 1987 with the single ‘Gomo Ramasare’, still their signature tune to this day. Two years later came their debut album ‘Child Survival/Chigamba’, followed in 1991 by ‘Mudzimu Mukuru’, whose title track has since become one of the most-covered songs in Zimbabwe’s musical history.
Except for Gilbert Zvamaida - now based in the United States, where he occasionally still shares the stage with Thomas Mapfumo - all other original members have sadly passed away. A reunion may be out of the question, but ‘Chigiyo Music Kings 1987–1998’ stands as a true revelation nonetheless.
Founder alongside Jah Shakespear who transitioned to this role in late 2014. Previously worked as critic and reporter, balancing passions for music and Haile Selassie spirituality.
November 1, 2025