Nhemamusasa (nay-mum-sah-sah):
among the oldest songs in the mbira repertoire of Zimbabwe, it means
"temporary shelter". Nhemamusasa encourages a sense of repose among the
vicissitudes of life.-Spiro/Williams
Nhemamusasa (nay-mum-sah-sah):
among the oldest songs in the mbira repertoire of Zimbabwe, it means
"temporary shelter". Nhemamusasa encourages a sense of repose among the
vicissitudes of life.
-Spiro/Williams
North: "Were you ever out in the Great Alone, when the moon
was awful clear,
And the icy mountains hemmed you in with a silence you most could hear;
... While high overhead, green, yellow, and red, the North Lights swept in
bars?--
Then you've a hunch what the music meant . . .(a) hunger and night and the
stars."
-Robert Service
We welcome you to join us at Nhemamusasa North, a very
special opportunity to gather together in community and immerse yourself
in the music and culture of Zimbabwe.
"It was the highlight of my summer. I loved the 'feel' of the event: camping out, eating communally, having workshops under the trees, talking with the fabulous Zimbabwean musicians about their lives. Great!" D. P.
We will once again be gathering at O.U.R. Ecovillage on Vancouver Island, a sustainable learning centre and demonstration site about 50 minutes north of Victoria near Shawnigan Lake. There we will come together over seven days to share in the deep and nourishing musical and cultural traditions of Zimbabwe.
"Thank you to everyone for such a connecting, creative, nourishing, and FUN week!" A.D.
Nhemamusasa North offers daily workshops in marimba, mbira, hosho, dance, drumming and singing at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. (For a sense of how Nhemamusasa North's daily activities are structured, view the 2006 schedule)
"The intense loveliness of sharing this week with all of you is still very present. Much gratitude for all of the music and love." B.M.
"Just washed the Nhemamusasa North earth from my feet and my sandals. But it is still in my heart and soul." J.D.
Camping is the main accommodation at the Ecovillage. Coastal weather is always variable, so please be sure to bring an all-weather tent and sleeping gear. Hot water and bathing facilities are available. A limited number of on-site dorm and glamping options are available at an additional fee - contact us for availability and pricing. There are also motels and B and B's available in the nearby communities of Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, and Cobble Hill. Three delicious meals a day will be provided, with plenty of vegetarian options. We can accommodate some special dietary needs; please contact us for more information.
Fees for Nhemamusasa North include admission to all workshops, 3 meals per day and camping.
Discounted tuition if paid by June 21st
(Balance due upon arrival at camp)
Full time fee • Adults $800 • Youth 13-19 $650 • 12 and under $500
Daily fee • Adults $200 • Youth 13-19 $180 • 12 and under $150
Tuition after June 21st
(Please note that registration will close Saturday, August 10)
Full time fee • Adults $900 • Youth 13-19 $750 • 12 and under $600
Daily fee • Adults $250 • Youth 13-19 $230 • 12 and under $200
A 50% deposit is required with your registration (balance due upon arrival at camp). Please pay in the currency of the country you reside in. You may pay the entire fee in advance if you prefer. After June 21st, all deposits are non-refundable. Before June 21st, a $75 processing fee will apply to all refunded deposits. Children under the age of 18 attending Nhemamusasa North must have a designated chaperone on site with them - contact us for chaperone registration details.
Work Exchange positions may be available; please enquire if interested.
O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE is a
sustainable learning centre and demonstration site which focuses on
ecological ways of living involving permaculture design. "We are dedicated
to researching and modeling ways that are rooted in social, cultural,
spiritual, economic and ecological well-being."
O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE acts as a bridge between the rural and urban experience. They offer a protected green space and a healthy, supportive community learning environment for residents, participants in programs, and the wider local and global communities. As well, they actively create partnerships with groups and organizations from all walks of life who are interested in living in community and living lightly on the earth.
Quw'utsun', or the Cowichan Valley is known as The Warm Land by the Quw'utsun'(Coast Salish) peoples, who have inhabited these lands for 10,000 years.
The nearby village of Shawnigan Lake contains various stores and restaurants, and several beaches and parks. The Village is a well-known venue for arts and craft shows, and hosts a small but excellent museum.
The Cowichan River, a provincial Heritage River flowing 47 km. from Lake Cowichan to a large ocean estuary at Cowichan Bay, is known for it's river tubing. Float for hours on it's gentle current past fields and forest (inflatable tubes available for sale in Duncan). There is also a 20 km. hiking trail along the riverbank. For further hiking or biking the Trans-Canada Trail, featuring the magnificent Kinsol Trestle, runs through the valley, and Mt Tzouhalem and Maple Mountain offer a vast network of mountain bike trails.
The valley is also home to a cidery and a dozen wineries (tours available), as well as farm markets and many and varied artisans.
O.U.R. Ecovillage is located on southern Vancouver Island, a 50 minute drive north-west of Victoria on the Trans-Canada highway.
From Victoria:
From Duncan/Nanaimo:
Useful contacts:
Ferries to Victoria:
From Victoria/Nanaimo to Mill Bay:
Pick-up from Mill Bay can be arranged with prior notice.
To register, please PRINT the PDF registration form (one for each person registering) and POST (along with cheque payable to Nhemamusasa North) to address on form.
Site entry and check-in will open at 7:00 pm on Monday August 12th (no dinner provided on-site). First workshops begin Tuesday morning. Camp will end after breakfast and closing circle on Sunday August 18th.