Albert Chimedza (born 1955) is a Zimbabwean poet[1][2] and founder of the Mbira Centre.[3] His only collection of poetry, Counterpoint was published in 1984, together with Hopewell Seyaseya.[4] Over the years, Chimedza has focused his energy on promoting the mbira, a unique traditional instrument that has been played for more than 1,000 years.[5][6] The mbira is integral to the traditions and cultural identity of the Shona people of Zimbabwe.[7]

Career

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Though Chimedza is an all round creative who has dabbled in film, poetry and other creative arts in Zimbabwe, he is famous for his work in promoting the mbira. For Chimedza, the mbira is part of Zimbabwe's cultural heritage.[8] At the Mbira Centre, a workshop he runs from Harare, Chimedza and a group of skilled craftsmen, spend days and weeks, making these little musical instruments.[9] In February 2014, the centre started a 'Mbira in the Schools' campaign in partnership with the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe and the European Union Programme for Arts and Culture Development.[10]

Bibliography

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Counterpoint (written with Hopewell Seyaseya), College Press, 1984.

References

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  1. ^ Warren, Crystal (2007). "A Bibliography of Zimbabwean Poets". English in Africa. 34 (2): 111–121. ISSN 0376-8902. JSTOR 40239082.
  2. ^ Riemenschneider, Dieter; Schulze-Engler, Frank (1993). African Literatures in the Eighties. Rodopi. ISBN 978-90-5183-518-2.
  3. ^ "Making music: Zimbabwe's mbira". BBC News. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  4. ^ Seyaseya, Hopewell; Chimedza, Albert (1984). Counterpoint. College Press. ISBN 978-0-86925-522-3.
  5. ^ "วันเฉลิมฉลอง Mbira". www.google.com (in Thai). Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  6. ^ amlambo (2017-10-05). "Chimedza: A man's passion for mbira". NewsDay Zimbabwe. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  7. ^ "Google Doodle Celebrates Zimbabwe Culture Week With Interactive Mbira Game". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  8. ^ Berliner, Paul F. (2019). The Art of Mbira: Musical Inheritance and Legacy. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-62868-4.
  9. ^ "Zimbabwe's traditional mbira plays a new tune". Luxembourg Times. 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  10. ^ "Mbira Centre". Music In Africa (in French). 2015-07-08. Retrieved 2021-04-02.