Zvembira

Zvembira is a mbira blogging site. "Zvembira" can be translated as 'things related to mbira'. zvembira.com

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Zim Traditional Music Takes Ireland By Storm

Zim Traditional Music Takes Ireland By Storm

(The Standard- 8 March) Zimbabwe-born musician Gabriel Makamanzi leads a music outfit — Afresh — based in Belfast, Ireland which plays a fusion of Zimbabwe traditional music supported by Irish musicians. The Standard Style’s Moses Mugugunyeki (MM) speaks to Makamanzi (GM) whose music, which he calls Chidzimba, has taken Ireland by storm. MM: Tell us about your background. GM: I am a Zimbabwean…

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Thomas Mapfumo Live!

It’s all happening in Leicester on the 16th of April as legendary Zimbabwean musician Thomas Mapfumo will be live in concert  in celebration of Zimbabwe’s Independence Day. Supported by Raymond Majongwe and the ever green Steve ‘Dhongi’ Makoni this is one show not to miss. If you’ve never seen the legend in concert, then this is your chance.

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Making money from mbira

Making money from mbira

In a recent article , the man who apparently invented the popular and now controversial hover board said he is not making money from his invention despite their current popularity.  The gadgets are being made by many factories with quality under scrutiny as many safety incidents have led to the boards being outlawed for use in public spaces in many places. “I visited some of the knockoff…

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Gabriel Makamanzi Album on Sale

Gabriel Makamanzi Album on Sale

Gabriel Makamanzi and the Afresh Band’s hit album Ndangariro is now available to buy via all major online music stores. Please see below   SPOTIFY LINK: https://play.spotify.com/album/42vxLqvTKLnC6DiyGRcp3E YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzJlODQcmsAV2hBt-IYjQt_UhSqPABmcC ITUNES LINK:…

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Songs in the Key of Colonialism

Songs in the Key of Colonialism

Historian Mhoze Chikowero’s new book reveals the role of music in the subjugation and liberation of African culture. By Jim Logan for The Current History records colonialism as a lingering infection of violent domination. The conquerors arrive with avarice and superior weapons, and maintain order through intimidation. Sometimes, though, says a UC Santa Barbara historian, they also use the music…

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Sekuru Gora’s song that captured nation To many of us who love mbira we know Sekuru Gora for his beautiful vocals, cheeky lyrics, (more on that in an upcoming post), and prowess at playing mbira.  

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Voting for Hope Masike for KORA Award Hope Masike has been nominated for the prestigious KORA All-Africa Music Awards under the Best Traditional Female Artist of Africa category.

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Nhapitapi Mbira Intensive Weekend

Nhapitapi Mbira Intensive Weekend

Nhapitapi is coming around again- a late winter jolt of bracing mbira music to chase away the winter blahs! Join  Claire Jones for the 9th Annual Nhapitapi Mbira Weekend open to all mbira players from beginning through to advanced levels. Date: February 26 – 28, 2016 Time: Friday 5:30 pm – Sunday 1 pm Place: Seattle, Washington Cost: $250; $242.50 if you can’t make it to dinner on Friday ($25…

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Voices of Ancestors Mbira Retreat

Voices of Ancestors Mbira Retreat

Immerse yourself in four luxurious days of mbira playing, singing and dancing for the ancestors with Chartwell Dutiro and Denise Rowe in a gorgeous location on the Dartmoor National Park in Devon. Cost £220 in advance (by 1 Feb)/ £250 thereafter (concessions and weekend tickets available) Venue The High Heathercombe Centre is situated  just outside Manaton in Dartmoor National Park. All meals are…

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Get ready for the weekend: Rhoda Dzomba from 2009 by Vincent Hickman. #Mbira It's been a while but this does the job. Here is a video of Rhoda Dzomba from 2009 by…

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Mbira: Hwaro Hwetsika

Kingstone Mapupu MUSAMBO wembira kana kuti deze unonzi wakabatsira zvikuru mukurwiwa kwehondo yerusununguko rweZimbabwe apo dzairidzwa masvikiro achipa varwi gwara rakanaka rekufamba naro zvisinei kuti mazuva ano kune vamwe vanotarisira mbira pasi. Kune masvikiro ane chitsamaakabatsira zvikuru muhondo iyi apo varwi vaienda kwavari vachinotsvaga mazano ekuti vatungamirirwe nevadzimu muhondo…

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Mbuya Chiweshe UK Tour

Mbuya Chiweshe UK Tour

Mbira veteran Ambuya Stella Chiweshe will be touring the UK for Refugee Week celebrations. Make you sure you catch her at one point or the other as she’ll be travelling to different cities across the country. Dates and Venues Sun 14 Newcastle: Live Theatre – Stella Chiweshe presented by Waka Waka Africa North East and The Crossings Band 3pm 0191 232 1232…

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London Bus Sessions: Mbira Fancy a ride on a musical bus? Here is a video by John Falsetto for the on the Ongoing Project.

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How not to pronounce ‘mbira’ To properly pronounce 'mbira' avoid what has been done in most of this video i.e. the separation of 'm' from 'b' to leave you with m-bi-ra.

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Mbira night promises fireworks

Mbira night promises fireworks

Mbira is one instrument that is key to African music as it adds traditional vibes to music. Several mbira groups have toured different countries and they have managed to thrill different people with the instrument. For decades the instrument has been played at different occasions with most of them being religious rituals, royal courts and some social events.

By Tawanda Marwizi

With the music…

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Sam Smith Cover on Mbira John describes himself as  "the Zimbabwean sound that connects exotic cultures, accommodating an eclectic taste." In his latest video on YouTube, he does a cover of Sam Smith's  Stay With Me…

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Zimbabwe Is 35: A Zvembira Tribute

Zimbabwe Is 35: A Zvembira Tribute

Zimbabwe is 35 today and it just feels epic and calls for a nice compilation of some tunes that make reference to our independence. Some tunes have mbira, some don’t, they are just fantastic tunes to help us remember.

The selection is a quick selection because to do justice to all songs would require doing a series with more details explanations. Hopefully the brief descriptions of the songs will…

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