Masango Cultural Center

Masango Cultural Center is in the heart of Seke just 25 km from the capital in Zimbabwe. We are a peaceful farming society, comprised of many differnt tribes melded into the “Zezuru”, or “Shona” nation. Our vision at Masango is to ensure indigenous arts and culture of Zimbabwe thrive in the daily lives of all Zimbabweans, while working towards a sustainable future by building healthy relationships with the land, ourselves and  each other.

Our three areas of focus are:
1) sustainable living: teaching and learning about natural building techniques, organic farming, and herbal knowledge.
2) collective leadership: reviving ancient skills of decision making and problem solving as well as learning contemporary ones, in order to live in community so all voices are heard and honoured.
3) teaching and celebrating: since the core of our community is held by the elders, we will be tapping thier knowledge through learning skills like playing music, making pottery, story telling and dance.

Masango Cultural Center was founded in 2007 by James Mujuru.  He envisioned the center when he realised many Zimbabweans experience multiple pressures to become more westernised and to give up their reliance on community and the earth.  ‘Masango’ is a Shona word meaning multiple forests.

Mujuru, who comes from a long line of musicians, learned from his elders the wisdom embedded in the sacred music that has existed for thousands of years. It is in this music and dance that the ancestors pass down the valuable life skills that kept the tribe healthy for generations. Some of these lessons include how to live happily with your husband or wife, how to take care of the forest so it will provide food for you and your family, and how to be more self-reliant.

Already there is a community center, composting toilet, community kitchen and sleeping house built from cob and thatch as well as a medicinal herb garden. The women have begun a chicken raising project which will bring income.  Thanks to recent and generous donations, Masango now has two wells. This provides clean drinking water ( which is like gold, in this time of mass cholera outbreaks) as well as making it possible to plant a food garden.

At a time when so many in Zimbabwe are barely struggling through the day to day, the community in Seke is charting their future together.  Weekly circles are being attended by the committee and community members, who are envisioning the future of Masango.   They are building strong alliances with each other while re-establishing the roots necessary for a strong, independent and healthy community.

The joining of new visions with old traditions, makes the most powerful of beginnings.