Culture is a concept that encompasses everything about the way we are. Our knowledge, beliefs, laws, customs, capabilities, attitudes, habits and even the arts, or rather especially them. Practitioners of the arts are the most important custodians of our culture, and one such custodian who understands this responsibility is Chengeto Rufaro Mayowe
An award winning author, a spoken word artist, a TEDx speaker, a publisher, a healer, a philanthropist and a cultural heritage ambassador, Chengeto is passionate about promoting the things that define us as Zimbabweans. She holds the record for the most translated Zimbabwean book; 16 for the children's book 'The Adventures of Nyenyedzi'
The writer's publlished works include the novels; Ancient Ones: Fire in the Wind, Ngano: When Spirits Talk, Daughters of Fate Trilogy, and the poetry collections; Deja Vu, Souls of Forgotten Queens, and About Love.
As the founder of the publishing house Tales of Dzimbahwe, Chengeto's focus is on cultural representation, preservation, inclusion, and social impact. This has also driven her philanthropic efforts, which have seen her donate books to schools in underprivileged communities.
We caught up with multifaceted creative for a conversation centred around her work as a cultural heritage ambassador:
Greedysouth: What is a cultural ambassador?
Chengeto: In summary, me (laughs). The long version though, is someone who stands for who they are because that is what culture is. Culture is how we speak, our mannerisms, things we do at particular times, it is what worked for us so much so that the colonisers learnt it, practiced it and then told us it was evil.
A cultural heritage ambassador is someone who chooses one aspect of culture or all of it and champions this so that the culture does not die or get badly distorted. So my job that I gave myself is to enlighten people about our culture through my books, through poetry, through early arts education which CHIPAWO champions and through my PR Consultancy firm Rina Manyanga Strategies that weaves culture through communication and CSR.
Greedysouth: What made you want to focus on cultural preservation?
Chengeto: The erosion and demonisation of our culture is what I can say made me focus on cultural preservation and representation. As a child and young adult I traveled a lot due to my father’s work. He always made sure I learnt about our culture and I appreciate that because out there people are proud of their cultures and languages but here the first thing people will do is demonise it.
We have adopted a culture that isn’t ours and wonder why we feel so lost. My mentor told me a mantra I live by “Kuziva zvauri kuziva kugara chikonzero nzira inokusvitsa kwaunobva”. Now ukarasa nzira can you really be surprised when you end up in a road that will not feel like “home”?
Greedysouth: You made your debut in poetry, and your latest publication is a children's book, how has it been navigating those different forms of writing?
Chengeto: It’s been interesting because I began with poetry then moved to spoken word, then fiction. I thought I would stop there but let me tell you children are persistent when they want something. And I had my friend’s kids asking when I would write a book for them.
Children’s books are more difficult because they are so impressionable, if you word something incorrectly or give the wrong connotation the effect would be terrible. So i had to take my time with the stories and also gave to a few parents to do trial reads with their children. It is fulfilling though to get positive feedback from the children.
Greedysouth: What is the inspiration for the stories you tell?
Chengeto: Representation and preservation. I will always repeat this that I never saw myself in any of the books I read. The standard of beauty in books was never someone who looked like me or had my name. That is my biggest inspiration when it comes to writing, to have people young and old see themselves in strong and positive ways. I also include our indigenous names, places and people living with disabilities. I didn’t like not feeling seen so I will write so that others may feel seen, represented and heard.
Greedysouth: What made you pursue the 10+ translations for 'Adventures of Nyenyedzi'?
Chengeto: Representation. We see so many books in shona and some in ndebele and that’s it. Like we have 16 official languages but the most we get is 2? I’m not including english as that’s technically a borrowed language. Imagine a boy in Chipinge who’s intelligent and speaks fluent Ndau but is called slow or stupid because he struggles with english?
I wanted to translate for all those children and help them see that their languages aren’t weird but are also a major part of the make up of Zimbabwe. It’s also so they won’t be embarrassed about their languages.
Greedysouth: How does it feel to be a CHIPAWO board member?
Chengeto: Exciting. CHIPAWO was founded the year I was born which is quite a beautiful coincidence. It also focuses on things I am passionate about like the welfare of children and our culture. The organisation helps with early arts education and the mentoring of kids. Many of CHIPAWO's alumni have grown up to be musicians, dance coaches and traveled the world.
A testament that art and culture really can provide a dream life. I’m excited to see how I can contribute to their work and make my mark in this country that I love so very much.
Enjoyed reading this news report? Support Greedysouth by buying the team a cup of coffee. Your support assists in the production of such quality reports. Thank you.