April 1, 2017

The Songbird and Spirit Medium of Modern Zimbabwe Chiwoniso singing and playing karimba in a Kwanangoma-style resonator Klara Wojtkowska writes about the spiritual mythology of one of her mbira heroes. Chiwoniso Maraire was in love with her homeland, Zimbabwe, as only one who walks the narrow path between those who belong and those who are foreigners, can be. Born in Olympia, WA, young Chiwoniso and her siblings performed in the Maraire family ensemble. Her father, Dumisani Maraire, was a famous mbira player who trained at the Kwanangoma School. Her mother, as Chiwoniso described, was a marvelous singer. As a teenager she and her family moved back to Zimbabwe where Chiwoniso