Shona Music (Zimbabwe)

Musique traditionnelle du peuple Shona (Zimbabwe)

Shona Music (Zimbabwe)

Shona music is the traditional musical style of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, characterized by the use of the mbira (lamellophone), hosho (shakers) and traditional singing. The mbira is the most emblematic instrument of Shona music, used in spiritual ceremonies (bira) and community gatherings.

Pioneering figures of modern mbira include Ebiz Khumalo (South Africa, not Shona), and especially Thomas Mapfumo, who popularized chimurenga with the mbira.

Stella Chiweshe (the “queen of the mbira”) and Filbert Lukendo are the great masters of contemporary mbira.

References