Paivapo ’76, a New Musical by Princeton University Senior Tanaka Dunbar Ngwara

In the premiere of this new musical written by Princeton senior Tanaka Dunbar Ngwara, Mirirai’s childhood best friend, Chamai, returns home in 1976 from boarding school abroad, to find Domboshava much changed by the last few years of the Zimbabwean Liberation War. While hiding in the forest during a raid on the village, it becomes clear that Mirirai’s spiritual beliefs clash with Chamai’s newfound view of the world. When he disregards important traditions and disappears at a sacred water site, Mirirai has to rally the community to perform the correct rituals to appease the spirits and win him back. This show is an exploration of the effects of the demonization and erasure of traditional practice during colonial rule in Zimbabwe, exploring themes of spirituality, community, first love and grief. Directed by senior Sabina Jaffri with Tanaka Dunbar Ngwara also serving as music director, costume designer, and dramaturg.