Chiwoniso maraire biography examples

Could the connection with spirit mediums and being possessed by ancestral spirits be the reason why many young Zimbabweans resent mbira music? Or is it just because they prefer modern Western music with western instruments? I am still yet to find out, but one thing for sure is the fact that mbira is no longer being accepted the way it was during the s.

Chiwoniso also starred in film, having worked on the soundtracks for movies and documentaries by an array of Zimbabwean writers and film producers.

Chiwoniso maraire biography examples

According to her manager Cosmas Zamangwe, she had been admitted to hospital 10 days earlier suffering from chest pains. The cause of death was the result of suspected pneumonia, just a year after the death of her ex-husband, Andy Brown, also a prominent musician. On September 12,the younger of her daughters, year old Chiedza Brown, committed suicide.

Chiedza was also a musician in the Mbira tradition like her mother and an accomplished singer. The album entered the World Music Charts Europe three times. Other female mbira players such as Diana Samkange and Hope Masike in Zimbabwe have come to the fore but they are yet to meet the standards set by Chiwoniso in advancing that instrument both nationally and internationally.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest developments and special offers! In the groove: Chiwoniso Maraire remembered Standard Style. Keep Reading. Share this article on social. Chiwoniso Maraire 5 March — 24 July was a Zimbabwean singer, songwriterand exponent of Zimbabwean mbira music. She was the daughter of Zimbabwean mbira master and teacher Dumisani Maraire [ 1 ] and former officer in the Zimbabwe Ministry of Sports and Culture in the early s.

It is everywhere in Africa under different names: sanzakalimbaetc. For us in Zimbabwe it is the name for many string instruments. There are many kinds of mbiras. The one that I play is called the nyunga nyungawhich means sparkle-sparkle. Born in in Olympia, Washingtonwhere her father had moved his family, The song bird spent the first seven years of her life in the US.

When she moved back to Zimbabwe she attended Mutare Girls' High School and took evening classes at the University of Zimbabwewhere her father was teaching. In the early s, when she was 15, she formed part of the Afro-fusion hip-hop trio A Peace of Ebony, which "was perhaps the first group to fuse mbira with contemporary beats". Maraire's firm voice and Brown's plucky guitar made a beautiful combination.

Her first album, Ancient Voiceswas released to international acclaim in Chiwoniso also starred in films, having worked on the soundtracks for movies and documentaries by an array of Zimbabwean writers and film producers She went on to record three more albums namely TimelessHupenyu Kumusha, Life at Home, Impilo Ekhaya. The Collaboration: Volume 1and Rebel Woman Marriage to Andy Brown When she chiwoniso maraire biography examples pregnant and married Andy Brown her father expressed dissatisfaction.

Awards Won Maraire was recognised and won a prestigious award Decouverte Afrique sponsored by Radio France International after releasing her debut album Ancient Voices in The group performed in Zanzibar's Sauti za Busara Festival. Chiwoniso died a year after her ex-husband Andy Brown had died. It is everywhere in Africa under different names: sanza, kalimba, etc.

For us in Zimbabwe it is the name for many string instruments. There are many kinds of mbiras. The one that I play is called the nyunga nyunga, which means sparkle-sparkle. We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe. If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.