Zawose
Introduction
This documentary tells the story of the Zawoses – an East African musical dynasty battling for survival at the centre of the AIDS crisis decimating Africa.
The Zawose family, once huge world-music stars criss-crossing the world and living the life most African musicians only dream of, is now facing oblivion. The deaths of the patriarchs Hukwe and Charles Zawose, within a year of each other, both from AIDS, has left the family divided, without direction and unable to support itself. The film follows the journey of John Simpson, a young director who has taken on the family’s cause and is fighting for their survival, before it is too late.
Given unique access to a range of materials, including the family’s photo and video library, National Geographic footage and WOMAD Festival footage, Simpson has shot the majority of an important and moving documentary, with stunning photography and interviews with the whole family and their international supporters.
The Birth of a legend
Hukwe Zawose’s success began in the 70s when the socialist President Nyerere was travelling through his village and heard his music. At that time Hukwe was a humble goat herder, but left his village to move to the luscious Bagamoyo coast and at the request of the President became his official musician. From there Hukwe began to build his musical career, travelling abroad to showcase the unique music of the Wagogo tribes.
Albums, world tours and record contracts quickly followed, as Hukwe and his family became stars, travelling to Japan, the US, and all over Europe. Signed to Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records, the Zawoses recorded several albums encompassing, in the words of Gabriel himself: ‘most of the most beautiful music we have ever put out on Real World Records.’ As the good times rolled, the family expanded greatly, Hukwe had 7 wives and over 40 children. He taught them the music of his ancestors.
After touring America in 2003, Hukwe died suddenly from AIDS. This tragedy came before he was able to lay any solid foundations for his family’s future. Much of the wealth was squandered.
Tragedies tear the family apart
Hukwe’s nephew Charles took control of the family. It was believed and hoped that the music and livelihood of his family could be saved. Charles had travelled all over the world with Hukwe, he had the contacts in the world music market and was in a perfect position to maintain Hukwe’s legacy.
But Charles found it difficult to rule the family. Times were uncertain and divisions within the family grew. Money difficulties began to rip apart the Zawoses’ soul. Charles fought on for several months until he suddenly became sick himself and died of AIDS while performing in Sweden only one year after the death of Hukwe. With Charles’ death the family lost their last tie to the outside world.
The threat of AIDS, made worse by the culture of denial, is still prevalent and the disease has since claimed many of the family’s children.
The Future?
John Simpson met the Zawoses while producing their WOMAD show in 2002 – a year before Hukwe and Charles’ death. Realising the family was at a crossroads, Simpson, then 19, began shooting a documentary, telling their story and hoping to help further raise awareness of AIDS in Africa. Friends with both Hukwe and Charles, he lived with them during their tragedies and was especially close to Charles at the end of his life.
After the deaths of the patriarchs, the project took on another meaning, a battle for the survival of one of Africa’s greatest musical families.
Simpson has since set up the Zawose foundation and rallied the family’s old friends and supporters to aid them. Martin Bell has agreed to narrate the documentary. Planning to release the family’s latest CD, Realworld will give special importance to the Zawose family when they come to perform at this year’s WOMAD festival, their 25th and largest.
This in-depth portrayal follows the family at a time when the future remains uncertain for them.
2007 will be a decisive year.
