Dumisani Maraire field recordings, 1981

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Maraire, Dumisani
Title
Dumisani Maraire field recordings
Dates
1981
Quantity
26 items  :  OT - 16 reels (speed varies, full-track); EC - 5 reels (7 1/2 ips, full-track, 7"); WT - 5 reels (7 1/2 ips, 1/2 tr. stereo, 10", 7"); Duration: 3:21:10
Collection Number
1982005
Summary
Dumisani Maraire's field recordings collected in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa in 1981.
Repository
University of Washington Ethnomusicology Archives
University of Washington
Ethnomusicology Archives
Box 353450
Seattle, WA
98195-3450
Telephone: 2065430974
ethnoarc@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Unrestricted: collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Abraham Dumisani "Dumi" Maraire (1944-1999) was a Zimbabwean musician and singer-songwriter known for his mastery of the mbira, a traditional instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. In particular, he specialized in the form of mbira called nyunga nyunga.

Maraire was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and studied music from an early age. From 1968 to 1972, he taught at the University of Washington in Seattle, and later taught at The Evergreen State College in Olympia. In 1982 he returned to Zimbabwe to create an ethnomusicology program at the University of Zimbabwe. He then came back to Seattle and the University of Washington to teach and obtain his doctorate in ethnomusicology. He died in Zimbabwe in 1999 of a stroke.

Maraire is often credited as having introduced Zimbabwean music to North America, as well as cultivating the Zimbabwean music scene in the Pacific Northwest. His children, Chiwoniso Maraire and Tendai "Baba" Maraire are both musicians, the latter forming half of Seattle hip hop duo Shabazz Palaces.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Original tapes recorded with Nagra III by collector.

See original archive sheets for description of tape contents.

Tape numbers: WT's and EC's - FS5/82-5.1 (includes Maraire #'s Tapes 1-3), FS5/82-5.2 (includes Maraire #'s Tapes 4-7), FS5/82-5.3 (includes Maraire #'s Tapes 8-11), FT2/82-5.4 (includes Maraire #'s Tapes 12-14), FX1/82-5.5 (includes Maraire # Tape 15) (no copy made of tape 6 Maraire # Tape 16) - distorted)

Tape numbers: OT's - FS5/82-5.1 a, b & c (includes Maraire #'s Tapes 1-3), FS5/82-5.2 a, b, c & d (includes Maraire #'s Tapes 4-7), FS5/82-5.3 a, b, c & d (includes Maraire #'s Tapes 8-11), FT2/82-5.4 a, b & c (includes Maraire #'s Tapes 12-14), FX1/82-5.5 (includes Maraire # Tape 15), FS5/82-5.6 (includes Maraire # Tape 16)

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Ethnomusicology
  • Music--Zimbabwe
  • Shona
  • Shona Music
  • Shona--Africa--Southern Africa
  • Songs--South Africa

Geographical Names

  • Africa
  • Mozambique
  • South Africa
  • Zimbabwe

Form or Genre Terms

  • Field recordings
  • Sound Recordings