Lesson Plans
Introduction to Zimbabwe and Music
This 40-50 minute lesson
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Title: Exploring Zimbabwean Music and Culture
Objective: Students will learn about the music, instruments, and cultural traditions of Zimbabwe, and understand the importance of cultural heritage and respect for indigenous cultures.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
We will gain an understanding of the traditional music and culture of Zimbabwe.
We will recognise the importance of music in Zimbabwean society and its role in conveying knowledge, values, and celebrations.
We will explore the characteristics of Zimbabwean traditional music, such as repetition, call and response, polyphonic rhythms, and rhythmic hand clapping.
We will appreciate the significance of indigenous traditions and the preservation of cultural heritage.
We will develop an appreciation for the diversity of musical expressions across different cultures.
Teaching Activities:
Watching and discussing the Shona welcome song video.
Providing information about Zimbabwe's geography, landmarks, and ethnic groups.
Explaining the significance of the mbira instrument and its cultural importance.
Sharing the story of Hope Masike, a popular Zimbabwean musician, and analysing her music.
Conducting a word search activity related to Zimbabwean traditional music.
Demonstrating drumming, shakers, hand clapping, and playing Zimbabwean rhythms.
Engaging students in a class discussion and Q&A session.
Success Criteria:
I can describe the purpose and meaning of the Shona welcome song and its connection to the Welcome to Country tradition.
I can identify key facts about Zimbabwe's geography, landmarks, and ethnic groups.
I can explain the significance of the mbira instrument in Zimbabwean music and culture.
I can analyse and discuss the characteristics of Zimbabwean traditional music, including repetition, call and response, polyphonic rhythms, and rhythmic hand clapping.
I can actively participate in clapping and playing Zimbabwean rhythms.
I can reflect on the importance of preserving indigenous traditions and cultural heritage.
I can recognise the diversity of musical expressions across different cultures and appreciate Zimbabwean traditional music as a unique art form.
Inquiry Statement: “Investigate the role of traditional music in Zimbabwean culture and its significance in preserving cultural heritage”
Materials:
Video: Google Doodle Mbira Music
Website - Google Doodle Celebrating Mbira
Video - Hope Masike - Ndinewe song
Drum (or drumming app), shakers, and hand claps for rhythmic demonstration
Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
World map or globe
Google Earth or Google Maps for Virtual Tour
Introduction (5 minutes)
Greet the students and introduce the topic of the lesson: Zimbabwean music and culture.
Show the video of the Shona Welcome Song from Zimbabwe.
Discuss the purpose of the song and its connection to welcoming visitors in Zimbabwe.
Link to Welcome to Country in Australia (5 minutes)
Explain the link between the Shona welcome song and the Welcome to Country practiced in Australia.
Discuss the importance of acknowledging and respecting the traditional custodians of the land in both cultures.
Show or briefly explain the concept of Welcome to Country in Australia.
Where is Zimbabwe? (5 minutes)
Show Zimbabwe's location on a map or globe.
Going Further – Go on a Virtual Tour using Google Earth or Maps. Play some music in the background and spark group discussions on what students see. Places of interest – Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba, Harare City. What did they expect to see? What are they surprised to see?
Ask students if they know any facts about Zimbabwe or if they have any prior knowledge.
Discuss Zimbabwe's geographical features and its two main ethnic groups, the Shona and the Ndebele.
The Mbira and Traditional Instruments (10 minutes)
Explain the significance of the mbira as an instrument in Zimbabwean music and culture.
Show images or videos of different types of mbira, such as the Nhare and the Nyunga Nyunga.
Discuss the traditional uses of the mbira in solo performances, bands, ceremonies, and spiritual practices.
Highlight the recognition of mbira music by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Use the Google Doodle Mini Documentry to show more about the Mbira story
Have students explore the Google Doddle story and information on their own or in groups.
Hope Masike and Contemporary Zimbabwean Music (10 minutes)
Introduce Hope Masike, a popular Zimbabwean musician and mbira player.
Play or show the Ndinewe song by Hope Masike.
Discuss how Hope Masike incorporates traditional instruments and cultural elements into her music.
Extended Inquiry statement: "In what ways can contemporary musicians incorporate traditional music characteristics into their compositions to preserve cultural heritage and create a bridge between past and present?". What or How is hope doing with her music?
Further activities can include listening to more of Hope’s music to discuss and analyse, comparative studies on how music from other cultures incorporates aspects of traditional music, and further discussions on the importance of cultural preservation through music.
Exploring Zimbabwean Music Characteristics (10 minutes)
Discuss the distinctive characteristics of Zimbabwean music, such as repetition, call and response, and polyphonic rhythms.
Define and provide examples of each characteristic, using the provided information in the lesson.
Demonstrate the rhythmic elements using drums, shakers, and hand claps, encouraging student participation.
Complete Fact Sheet and Word Search for learning consolidation and reinforcement.
Reflection and Conclusion (5 minutes)
Engage students in a class discussion about what they have learned about Zimbabwean music and culture.
Ask students to share their reflections on the importance of cultural heritage and respect for indigenous cultures.
Summarise the key points discussed during the lesson.
Conclude the lesson by expressing the significance of exploring and appreciating diverse cultures.
Extensions:
Encourage students to research and present on other aspects of Zimbabwean music, such as different genres, dance styles, or prominent musicians.
Assign a creative project where students can create their own mbira-inspired music using modern instruments and technology.
Organise a class performance
