Stella Rambisai Chiweshe was one of the first African women to enter the male dominated world of the mbira (Zimbabwean sanza or thumb piano).
Stella Chiweshe was born in Mujumi Village, Mhondoro in 1946. She started to sing when she was very young, herding cattle with her grandfather. She learned how to play the mbira in 1966, just as her deceased grandfather had prophesized. At the beginning, she performed in Zimbabwe as a ritual musician during funerals weddings and other ceremonies.
In 1974, she had a hit with the single “Kassahwa,” which reached gold status.
During the 1980s, Stella Chiweshe toured worldwide, working as an actress and a solo dancer with the National Dance Company of Zimbabwe.
Stella Chiweshe married a German citizen and spent most of her time in the central European nation. In Germany, she taught mbira and dance.
Stella Chiweshe died in Zimbabwe on January 20, 2023.
Discography:
Ambuya (Shanachie Records, 1987)
Ndizvozvo (Piranha Musik, 1988)
Chisi (1989)
Kumusha (1990)
Shungu (1994)
Healing Tree: Best of Stella Chiweshe (Shanachie, 1998)
Talking Mbira: Spirits of Liberation (Piranha Musik, 2002)
Double Check (Piranha Musik, 2006)
Ndondopetera (2007)
Chakandiwana, with Michele Longo (2014)
Kasahwa: Early Singles (Glitterbeat, 2018)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.