Black History Month Comes Alive in Harare Through Music, Poetry and Storytelling
The Friendship Bench in Mt Pleasant became a vibrant hub of culture and creativity last week as Harare celebrated Black History Month with an evening of music, poetry and reflection. Attendees experienced a blend of intimate book readings, electrifying hip-hop and soulful melodies that transformed the space into a tapestry of sound and story. The event highlighted the power of artistic expression to connect local and global histories while fostering dialogue across communities. Guests were drawn into performances that combined personal narratives with broader cultural themes, reinforcing the relevance of Black History Month in both remembering the past and inspiring the future. The atmosphere balanced reverence with energy, allowing creativity to unfold organically and deeply resonate with everyone present.
Curated under the theme Black History Month: An Evening of Spoken Word, the showcase featured readings by Zaza Muchemwa, Mercedes LaVel Crosby, a US diplomat, and Aimuanwosa Andrew. Poetry performances included Tadana Nakai, Mambo Guramatunhu, Batsirai Chigama, Taku Goniwa and Kuda Rice, each bringing a distinct voice and perspective to the evening. The tempo shifted seamlessly to music, with hip-hop and dance by Nyasha Munashe and Banshee, mbira rhythms by Nasibo, solo guitar by Mwendamberi and vocals by Vera. These performances reflected a wide spectrum of creative expression, highlighting the depth and diversity of Zimbabwe’s arts community. The integration of music, movement and words underscored the event’s emphasis on storytelling as a vehicle for cultural celebration and reflection.
The Harare edition formed part of the global Sofar Sounds series, which staged similar events in cities including Malzéville, Luxembourg, Barcelona, London, Ottawa, New York City, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, San Diego and Los Angeles on the same day. Curator Khumbulani Muleya explained that the event aimed to unite Zimbabwe’s creative community while honouring cultural links between African-American history and local artistic expression. He described the programme as part of the Freedom 250 commemoration, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and demonstrating how art serves as a tool of freedom. The evening combined multiple creative disciplines, including poetry, book readings, visual art, cultural history and music, offering attendees a rich, multi-dimensional experience that connected global and local narratives.
In her remarks, US counsellor for public affairs Melinda Crowley highlighted the historical significance of both Black History Month and America’s upcoming Freedom 250 anniversary. She noted the contributions of Black Americans in fields such as science, technology, business, education and public service, citing figures like Mae Jemison and Patricia Bath as examples of excellence and innovation. Crowley emphasized that cultural forms such as jazz, blues, hip-hop and spoken word have influenced artistic expression worldwide, including in Zimbabwe. She reinforced the idea that art remains a powerful tool for advancing freedom, democratic values and cross-cultural understanding. The event illustrated that celebrating creativity and cultural achievements can provide both inspiration and a framework for dialogue.
Beyond entertainment, the evening at the Friendship Bench demonstrated the role of arts and culture in bridging histories and imagining shared futures. Performances encouraged reflection on painful histories while celebrating resilience, imagination and identity. By linking African and African-American narratives, the Harare gathering showed how artistic collaboration can strengthen cultural ties across continents. The event affirmed the relevance of Black History Month as a platform not just for remembrance, but for active engagement with creativity, community and cultural exchange. It highlighted how rhythm, storytelling and artistic expression can unite diverse audiences in a shared appreciation of history, heritage and possibility.
