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Chimurenga also refers to a style of music first branded by Thomas Mapfumo, who mixed indigenous African rhythmic patterns and instruments such as mbira (thumb piano), drums, gourd rattles with Western styles (electric guitar) in songs that achieved wide popularity among the protest movement against white minority rule.
Chimurenga music is a Zimbabwean popular music genre coined and popularized by Thomas Mapfumo. Chimurenga is a Shona language word for liberation, which entered common usage during the Rhodesian Bush War. The word's modern interpretation has been extended to describe a struggle for human rights, political dignity and social justice.
Lovemore Majaivana (born 1954) – Ndebele music singer-songwriter; Zeke Manyika (born 1955) – England-based rock and roll singer-songwriter and drummer; Leonard Mapfumo (born 1983) – urban grooves and hip hop artist; Thomas Mapfumo (born 1945) – chimurenga music artist; Chiwoniso Maraire (1976–2013) – mbira player and singer ...
Chimurenga music is a genre developed by Thomas Mapfumo named for the Shona language word for struggle. [2] Mapfumo and his band, the Blacks Unlimited developed a style of music based on traditional mbira music, but played with modern electric instrumentation, with lyrics characterized by social and political commentary.
The sound they pioneered would eventually be called Chimurenga and was adopted by other bands of the 70s and 80s. Singer Thomas Mapfumo had a successful music career in the 80s and would go on to bring Chimurenga around the world.
Thomas Tafirenyika Mapfumo (born July 3, 1945) [1] is a Zimbabwean musician. He is nicknamed "The Lion of Zimbabwe" and "Mukanya" (the praise name of his clan in the Shona language) for his immense popularity and for the political influence he wields through his music, including his sharp criticism of the government of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.
In the context of war, the mbira became political. Thomas Mapfumo transposed mbira music onto electric instruments to create chimurenga music, named for the chimurenga guerillas. Mujuru says, "When we played mbira, people would come and dance with a special feeling. `Hey, we are going to be independent!'"
[1] The traditional music of the Ndebele is characterised mainly by the widespread use of choral song accompanied by leg rattles (amahlwayi), clappers (izikeyi) and clapping of hands. Compared with choral song, solo singing and purely instrumental music are of minor