Dumisani Maraire recordings: The African Mbira, 1971

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Maraire, Dumisani; Maraire, Nkosana Arthur; Chiorah, Lorah
Title
Dumisani Maraire recordings: The African Mbira
Dates
1971
Quantity
2 audiotapes  :  EC - 1 reel (7 1/2 ips, 1/2 tr. stereo, 7"); WT - 1 reel (7 1/2 ips, 1/2 tr. stereo, 10"); Duration: 00:52:30
Collection Number
1971020
Summary
Copy of Dumisani Maraire's commercial recording: "The African Mbira: Music of the Shona People of Rhodesia [now Zimbabwe]".
Repository
University of Washington Ethnomusicology Archives
University of Washington
Ethnomusicology Archives
Box 353450
Seattle, WA
98195-3450
Telephone: 2065430974
ethnoarc@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Access is restricted.

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

Performers: Dumisani Maraire/mbira, voice; Nkosana Maraire/hosho, voice; Laralue Sukutai Chiorah/voice.

Contents: Side A of record: 1. Kana ndoda, 2. Tipe timbozwa, 3. Misorodzi; Side B of record: 1. Gumbu kumbu, 2. Ninibaba, 3. Urombo; 2 untitled pieces follow above listed items.

Documentation: Photo-copy of record jacket notes.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Description
1971020-0001
1 audiotape : Audio Reel; Tracks: 8

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Ethnomusicology
  • Folk songs, Shona
  • Mbira
  • Mbira music
  • Music--Zimbabwe
  • Shona
  • Shona Music
  • Shona--Africa--Southern Africa
  • Vocal

Personal Names

  • Chiorah, Lorah
  • Maraire, Dumisani
  • Maraire, Nkosana Arthur

Geographical Names

  • Africa
  • Zimbabwe

Form or Genre Terms

  • Sound Recordings