Dumisani Maraire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Abraham Dumisani Maraire (1944-1999), known to friends as "Dumi," was a master performer of the mbira, a traditional instrument of the Shona ethnic group of Zimbabwe. He specialized in the form of mbira called nyunga nyunga, as well as the Zimbabwean marimba.

Maraire taught from 1968 through 1972 at the University of Washington in Seattle. He introduced Zimbabwean music to N America,initiating a flourishing of Zimbabwean music in the Pacific Northwest that continues to spread in the 21st century.

Dumi is credited for his famous 1-15 number notation used on the nyunga nyunga mbira(see nyunga nyunga)and for notating the song Chemutengure on the mbira nyunga nyunga.The song chemutengure is used to teach mbira learners the technique of playing the instrument.(Chirimumimba,2007).

Maraire died of a stroke on November 25, 1999 in Zimbabwe.

1 Recordings
2 Publications
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Recordings

Mbira Music of Rhodesia, Performed by Abram Dumisani Maraire. (1972). Seattle: University of Washington Press, Ethnic Music Series. Garfias, R. (Ed.). 1 LP disc. 33 1/3 rpm. mono. 12 in. UWP-1001. This disc features Maraire exclusively on Nyunga Nyunga mbira. A 12-page booklet by Maraire is included, describing the background, composition, and performance of nyunga-nyunga mbira music.
Shona Spirit. (1995). Dumisani Maraire & Ephat Mujuru. Music of the World. ASIN: B000003IT0. Amazon.com
Pieces of Africa. (1992). Kronos Quartet. Nonesuch ASIN: B000005J15. Amazon.com
Masters of the African Mbira. (2000). Ephat Mujuru & Dumisani Maraire. Arc Music, ASIN: B00003ZL43. Amazon.com

[edit] Publications

Adzenyah, A.K., Tucker, J.C., & Maraire, D. (1997). Let your voice be heard! Songs from Ghana and Zimbabwe. World Music Press, ISBN 0-937203-75-0. Amazon.com