Stella Chiweshe was born on 8 July 1946, was was a Zimbabwean musician. She died on 20 January 2023, at the age of 76. She was internationa...
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Stella Chiweshe was born on 8 July 1946, was was a Zimbabwean musician.
She died on 20 January 2023, at the age of 76.
She was internationally known for her singing and playing of the mbira dzavadzimu, a traditional instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
She was one of the few female players of the instrument, which she learned to play from 1966 to 1969 when even fewer females played the instrument.
Chiweshe has performed numerous times in Germany and has also participated in the WOMAD festival (1994 in the United States, 1995 in Australia, and 2006 in Spain). In 2004 she toured England with her daughter.
The Queen of Mbira Music from Zimbabwe - like she was often called, was one of the first female artist who gained in prestige and has been honored with recognition in a music tradition that's been dominated by men: in Mbira music - known as the backbone of Zimbabwean music.
She was one of the few musicians in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, who since more than 35 years is working in the role of traditional Mbira musician.
She was internationally known for her singing and playing of the mbira dzavadzimu, a traditional instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
She was one of the few female players of the instrument, which she learned to play from 1966 to 1969 when even fewer females played the instrument.
Chiweshe has performed numerous times in Germany and has also participated in the WOMAD festival (1994 in the United States, 1995 in Australia, and 2006 in Spain). In 2004 she toured England with her daughter.
The Queen of Mbira Music from Zimbabwe - like she was often called, was one of the first female artist who gained in prestige and has been honored with recognition in a music tradition that's been dominated by men: in Mbira music - known as the backbone of Zimbabwean music.
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| Stella Chiweshe: Learned Mbira when it was Forbidden for a Woman |
When Zimbabwe was still a Rhodesian colony, Stella secretly was recognized as a Mbira player at forbidden ceremonies.
Before independence Mbira instruments had to be kept hidden, because the colonial government had declared the whole country as a Christian land, traditional instruments and songs were banned. Playing Mbira was punished with prison.
After playing through the whole night at forbidden reunions, Stella then returned to her every-day-struggle of survival as a young girl within a colonial environment.
Stella learned to play the mbira when it was forbidden for a woman to play the instrument and also the colonial regime had banned any cultural activities.
She earned great success in a film where she played the role of Ambuya Nehanda – the national heroine of Zimbabwe, who was killed in 1896 by the colonial government.
Recording of CD "Tapera" in Zimbabwe with Gramma Records. Collaboration project with "Bhatagumbo" – a group of senior ladies (55–80 years of age).
Stella learned to play the mbira when it was forbidden for a woman to play the instrument and also the colonial regime had banned any cultural activities.
She earned great success in a film where she played the role of Ambuya Nehanda – the national heroine of Zimbabwe, who was killed in 1896 by the colonial government.
Recording of CD "Tapera" in Zimbabwe with Gramma Records. Collaboration project with "Bhatagumbo" – a group of senior ladies (55–80 years of age).
Stella created, directed, choreographed and performed a theatre piece "Chiedza (light). Performed in Harare at the HIFA Festival with Bhatagumbo.
Collaboration project with the Dimensions Dance Theatre, Oakland (USA). Tour in Europe with the Trio, concerts in Budapest, World Music Festival (Hungary), Kalaka Festival (Slovenia), tour in Italy with concerts in Genova, Casale Monferato, Torino, Bologna.
Collaboration project with the Dimensions Dance Theatre, Oakland (USA). Tour in Europe with the Trio, concerts in Budapest, World Music Festival (Hungary), Kalaka Festival (Slovenia), tour in Italy with concerts in Genova, Casale Monferato, Torino, Bologna.
Concerts in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland. With Bhatagumbo group participation in the "World Senior Theatre-Festival" in Köln/Germany. The piece she created was the main attraction of the festival. Tour with her band in Zimbabwe.
She became a member of the National Dance Company of Zimbabwe as Mbira soloist, actress and dancer. Performed in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia. India, China and Korea.
She became a member of the National Dance Company of Zimbabwe as Mbira soloist, actress and dancer. Performed in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia. India, China and Korea.
She earned great success in a film where she played the role of Ambuya Nehanda - the national heroin of Zimbabwe, who was killed in 1896 by the colonial government. - Online Sources
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