For nearly two decades, Google has its immense homepage traffic to highlight world issues, historic events, and celebrations around the globe through Google Doodles.
Today in honour of the beginning of Zimbabwe’s Culture week; Google did their part in joining the celebration of heritage with an interactive Mbira Doodle.
The Doodle tells a story of a young girl who watches a mbira being played with great interest; before growing up and inspiring the next generation of mbira players. We strongly suspect this could be the story of any one of our favourite Mbirakadzi’s from Ambuya Stella Chiweshe to Hope Maske or the late Chiwoniso Maraire. Of course, a young girl playing the Mbira based on traditional values is not a simple reality. Maybe more on that another time.
Not only does the Doodle tell an educational story but it includes an interactive game through which a user can learn to play Mbira greats such as Nhemamusasa using a mouse or keyboard.
The Google team had to come down to Zimbabwe to research more intently on the Heritage of the instrument. You can check out the mini-doccie by Google featuring the likes of Mbira Centre’s Albert Chimedza below.
It’s exciting to witness this celebration of the indigenous heritage and hope this catalyzes more homegrown concepts of celebration.
Check out the Google Doodle on, well, www.google.com, screenshot it and tweet your interactive experience to us @enthusemag.
