Best of The Beat on Afropop: Stella Chiweshe, Mbira Queen of Zimbabwe

<p>In this “Best of The Beat” feature from 1996, author Sheila Nopper tells the remarkable story of Stella Rambisai Chiweshe, known as the Mbira Queen of Zimbabwe, who: “after many years of struggle and perseverance that began with her unrelenting determination to learn to play the mbira” &hellip;. she succeeded, despite social and cultural obstacles, in mastering “an instrument that, for as long as her people could remember, had only been played by men.”</p> <p><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/migrated-uploads/2016/03/Beat156ChiweseP42crop.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-28151"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-28151 size-large" src="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/migrated-uploads/2016/03/Beat156ChiweseP42crop-1024x985.jpg" alt="Beat15#6ChiweseP42(crop)" height="616" width="640"></a>Ambuya Chiweshe continues to perform and tour internationally, receiving many honors and awards over her inspirational 40-year career. Beyond the mbira, she has also been involved in film, theater and choreography projects, and as a teacher, activist, festival organizer and tireless flag bearer for women’s issues. <a href="http://stellachiweshe.com" target="_blank">stellachiweshe.com</a></p> <p><strong>READ OR DOWNLOAD PDF HERE:&nbsp; <a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/migrated-uploads/2016/03/Beat156Chiwese.pdf">Beat15#6Chiwese</a></strong></p> <p>Stella Chiweshe and the Earthquake: Live in Germany</p> <iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6hmBDRciQl4" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="315" frameborder="0" width="420"></iframe> <p>Among the many women who have benefited from Stella Chiweshe’s groundbreaking accomplishments, we must remember the younger mbira artist, Chiwoniso Maraire, who sadly passed away in 2013 at age 37. Learn more about her life and career here:</p> <p>Afropop obituary<br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/12019/mourning-chiwoniso/" target="_blank">https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/12019/mourning-chiwoniso/</a></p> <p>Afropop video: Chiwoniso Live in Chicago</p> <iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p45YS8dEpH8" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="315" frameborder="0" width="420"></iframe> <p>Video: Last interview with Chiwoniso</p> <iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/czXxf6fKLrw" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="315" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe> <p><strong><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/25929/the-beat-goes-on-intro/" target="_blank">ABOUT BEST OF THE BEAT ON AFROPOP</a></strong></p>