{{Short description|Zimbabwean musician (1946–2023)}} {{Use British English|date=January 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Stella Chiweshe | image = StellaChiweshe2012.jpg | caption = Chiweshe in 2012 | birth_name = Stella Rambisai Chiweshe | birth_date = {{birth date|1946|7|8|df=y}} | birth_place = Mhondoro, Southern Rhodesia | death_date = {{death date and age|2023|1|20|1946|7|8|df=y}} | death_place = Harare, Zimbabwe | spouse = Peter Reich<ref name=":6" /> | children = {{ill|v=ib|Virginia Mukwesha|fi}} Charity Mapuranga nee Mkwesha | website = {{Official URL}} }}
'''Stella Chiweshe''' (also '''Stella Rambisai Chiweshe''', '''Stella Rambisai Chiweshe Nekati''', '''Mbuya Stella Chiweshe''', or '''Stella Nekati Chiweshe'''; 8 July 1946 – 20 January 2023) was a Zimbabwean musician. She was known internationally for her singing and playing of the mbira dzavadzimu, a traditional instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. She was one of few female players, and learned to play from 1966 to 1969, when other women did not.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-30 |title=Stella Chiweshe obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jan/30/stella-chiweshe-obituary |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref>
== Biography == Chiweshe was born on 8 July 1946 in Mujumi Village in Mhondoro.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Zimbabwe |first=New |date=20 January 2023 |title=Updated: Mbuya Stella Chiweshe dies |url=https://www.newzimbabwe.com/just-in-mbuya-stella-chiweshe-dies/ |access-date=21 January 2023 |website=NewZimbabwe.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121063848/https://www.newzimbabwe.com/just-in-mbuya-stella-chiweshe-dies/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She learned to play the mbira from 1966 to 1969, at a time when there were social taboos against women playing the instrument,<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last1=Salawu |first1=Abiodun |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3YNyEAAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA379 |title=Indigenous African Popular Music, Volume 1: Prophets and Philosophers |last2=Fadipe |first2=Israel A. |date=31 May 2022 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-030-97884-6 |pages=379 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125406/https://books.google.com/books?id=3YNyEAAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA379 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Mangena |first1=Fainos |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4CP5DAAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA71 |title=Sounds of Life: Music, Identity and Politics in Zimbabwe |last2=Muwati |first2=Itai |date=8 February 2016 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=978-1-4438-8856-1 |pages=71 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125405/https://books.google.com/books?id=4CP5DAAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA71 |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as colonial British prohibitions on cultural activities.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Chitando |first=Ezra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6MjeCwAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PT134 |title=African Traditions in the Study of Religion in Africa: Emerging Trends, Indigenous Spirituality and the Interface with other World Religions |date=1 April 2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-18420-1 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125405/https://books.google.com/books?id=6MjeCwAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PT134 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Offenhäußer, Dieter, Walther Ch Zimmerli, and Marie-Theres Albert. [https://www.unesco.de/sites/default/files/2018-07/world_heritage_and_cultural_diversity_2010.pdf "World heritage and cultural diversity."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206072815/https://www.unesco.de/sites/default/files/2018-07/world_heritage_and_cultural_diversity_2010.pdf |date=6 December 2023 }} UNESCO. 12 (2010): 05–13.</ref> She was taught by her great-uncle, after being refused by many teachers.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Hickson |first=Jim |title=Stella Chiweshe: "I ignored men, I ignored women, I ignored the government, I ignored the church, because I wanted to survive. That's how I started to play", she was influenced by the emerging feminist attitudes of the time that purported that women were not allowed to play mbira music. Shona tradition is littered with history of female heroines & other playing mbira during bird's and pungwes |url=https://www.songlines.co.uk/features/stella-chiweshe-i-ignored-men-i-ignored-women-i-ignored-the-government-i-ignored-the-church-because-i-wanted-to-survive-that-s-how-i-started-to-play |access-date=21 January 2023 |website=Songlines |language=en |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121220514/https://www.songlines.co.uk/features/stella-chiweshe-i-ignored-men-i-ignored-women-i-ignored-the-government-i-ignored-the-church-because-i-wanted-to-survive-that-s-how-i-started-to-play |url-status=live }}</ref> During this period Chiweshe also performed forbidden Shona spiritual ceremonies.<ref name=":2" />
During the 1970s her music supported nationalist and women's rights causes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Demissie |first=Fassil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f0eoDQAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PT150 |title=Colonial Architecture and Urbanism in Africa: Intertwined and Contested Histories |date=5 December 2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-351-95053-4 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125405/https://books.google.com/books?id=f0eoDQAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PT150 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her career as a recording artist began in 1974 with the release of the single 'Kasahwa' (Teal Records).<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Carl |first=Florian |year=2004 |title=Review of Talking Mbira: Spirits of Liberation |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41699581 |journal=The World of Music |volume=46 |issue=2 |pages=195–197 |jstor=41699581 |issn=0043-8774 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |access-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121214830/https://www.jstor.org/stable/41699581 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Celebrating International Women's Day {{!}} Celebrating Being Zimbabwean |date=16 March 2017 |url=https://www.thepatriot.co.zw/old_posts/celebrating-international-womens-day/ |access-date=21 January 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121220513/https://www.thepatriot.co.zw/old_posts/celebrating-international-womens-day/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1981 she joined the National Dance Company of Zimbabwe, playing the mbira, and toured with them internationally.<ref name=":3" /> During the 1980s, to continue a revitalisation of mbira music, Chiweshe amplified her mbira and introduced electric instruments to her supporting band.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Kirkegaard |first=Annemette |url=https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:nai:diva-202 |title=Playing with Identities in Contemporary Music in Africa |date=2002 |publisher=Nordic Africa Institute |isbn=978-91-7106-496-7 |pages=38 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Berliner |first=Paul F. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q1a6DwAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA562 |title=The Art of Mbira: Musical Inheritance and Legacy |date=31 January 2020 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-62871-4 |pages=212 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125356/https://books.google.com/books?id=Q1a6DwAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA562 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Berliner |first=Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ag_85hJI9aMC&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PR6 |title=The Soul of Mbira: Music and Traditions of the Shona People of Zimbabwe |date=1993 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-04379-1 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125406/https://books.google.com/books?id=ag_85hJI9aMC&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PR6 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1985 she formed her first band ''The Earthquake''.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Jones |first=Claire |date=1 June 2008 |title=Shona Women Mbira Players: Gender, Tradition and Nation in Zimbabwe |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/17411910801972982 |journal=Ethnomusicology Forum |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=125–149 |doi=10.1080/17411910801972982 |s2cid=143721457 |issn=1741-1912|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In 1988 Chiweshe recorded two black liberationist songs, 'Chimurenga' and 'NeHondo'''.''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turino |first=Thomas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4dHl4zbGgDgC&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA224 |title=Nationalists, Cosmopolitans, and Popular Music in Zimbabwe |date=20 June 2008 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-81696-8 |pages=224 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125408/https://books.google.com/books?id=4dHl4zbGgDgC&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA224 |url-status=live }}</ref> She also helped to form the Zimbabwe Musicians Union.<ref name=":3" /> During this period she also played the titular role in the film ''Ambuya Nehanda'', which portrayed the life of Mbuya Nehanda, an anti-colonial resistance leader.<ref name=":7" />
Chiweshe performed numerous times in Germany and also participated in the WOMAD festival (1994 in the United States, 1995 in Australia, and 2006 in Spain). In 2004 she toured England with her daughter.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Herald |first=The |title=Mbuya Stella Chiweshe dies |url=https://www.herald.co.zw/mbuya-stella-chiweshe-dies/ |access-date=21 January 2023 |website=The Herald |language=en-GB |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121073431/https://www.herald.co.zw/mbuya-stella-chiweshe-dies/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She was known for her spiritual presence on stage, and for often taking snuff while performing.<ref name=":5" />
Chiweshe died of brain cancer on 20 January 2023, at the age of 76.<ref name=":0" /> Her husband was Peter Reich, a German citizen.<ref name=":6" /> She also lived in Germany for several years.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chitando |first=Ezra |url=https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:nai:diva-192 |title=Singing Culture: A Study of Gospel Music in Zimbabwe |date=2002 |publisher=Nordic Africa Institute |isbn=978-91-7106-494-3 |pages=44 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://zambianobserver.com/zimbabwe-mbira-legend-mbuya-stella-chiweshe-dies/ | title=Zimbabwe Mbira Legend Mbuya Stella Chiweshe Dies | the Zambian Observer | date=21 January 2023 | access-date=3 July 2023 | archive-date=3 July 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703141457/https://zambianobserver.com/zimbabwe-mbira-legend-mbuya-stella-chiweshe-dies/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Her daughter is the mbira player {{ill|Virginia Mukwesha|fi}}, whom Chiweshe trained from a young age.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kirkegaard |first=Annemette |url=https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:nai:diva-202 |title=Playing with Identities in Contemporary Music in Africa |date=2002 |publisher=Nordic Africa Institute |isbn=978-91-7106-496-7 |pages=35 |language=en}}</ref>
On 21 January 2023 the government of Zimbabwe offered financial support for her funeral.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herald |first=The |title=Govt grants state-assisted funeral to Mbuya Stella Chiweshe |url=https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-grants-state-assisted-funeral-to-mbuya-stella-chiweshe/ |access-date=21 January 2023 |website=The Herald |language=en-GB |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121121754/https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-grants-state-assisted-funeral-to-mbuya-stella-chiweshe/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Awards ==
* Billboard Music Award (1993)<ref name=":3" /> * Zimbabwe Music Silver Jubilee Awards – Female Most Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry of the Past 25 Years (2005)<ref name=":8" /> * Zimbabwe Music Silver Jubilee Awards – Best Mbira Artiste of the Past 25 Years (2005)<ref name=":8" /> * National Arts Merit Award (2006)<ref name=":0" /> * National Arts Merit Award Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)<ref name=":0" /> * National Arts Merit Award Legends Awards (2021)<ref name=":0" />
== Legacy == Chiweshe is considered a ground-breaking Zimbabwean musician, not just for her skills, but for the path for women mbira-players that she forged.<ref name=":1" /><ref>Makore, Susan. [https://cdn.sida.se/publications/files/sida4308en-sounds-of-change---social-and-political-features-of-music-in-africa.pdf#page=49 "Women in music: Some notes on Zimbabwe."] ''Sounds of change: Social and political features of music in Africa'' (2004): 47–56.</ref> She was also admired for the humanism in her music.<ref>{{Cite book |last=O'Brien |first=Lucy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V1mtAwAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA350 |title=She Bop II: The Definitive History of Women in Rock, Pop and Soul |date=1 January 2002 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=978-0-8264-7208-3 |pages=350 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125418/https://books.google.com/books?id=V1mtAwAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA350 |url-status=live }}</ref>
During her career Chiweshe was criticised by some for combining sacred and commercial music.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Duane |first1=Orla |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gyiTOcnb2yYC&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA708 |title=World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East |last2=McConnachie |first2=James |date=1999 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=978-1-85828-635-8 |pages=708 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125418/https://books.google.com/books?id=gyiTOcnb2yYC&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA708 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her work was sampled by many artists, including ''The New Vets,'' a Zimbabwean activist rap group, who campaigned for land reform using a track Chiweshe sang on.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Falola |first1=Toyin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ev6rAgAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA85 |title=Music, Performance and African Identities |last2=Fleming |first2=Tyler |date=15 March 2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-83028-0 |pages=85 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125357/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ev6rAgAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PA85 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Chiweshe featured in Panashe Chigumadzi's 2018 work ''These Bones Will Rise Again.''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chigumadzi |first=Panashe |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QDZlDwAAQBAJ&dq=stella+chiweshe&pg=PT96 |title=These Bones Will Rise Again |date=14 June 2018 |publisher=The Indigo Press |isbn=978-1-9996833-1-3 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705125418/https://books.google.com/books?id=QDZlDwAAQBAJ&dq=stella%20chiweshe&pg=PT96 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Discography== * ''Ambuya?'' (1987, reissued 2021)<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ambuya!'s back baby! |language=en |work=Bangkok Post |date=16 March 2021 |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/2084307/ambuya-s-back-baby- |access-date=22 January 2023 |last1=Clewley |first1=John |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122103133/https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/2084307/ambuya-s-back-baby- |url-status=live }}</ref> * ''Ndizvozvo'' (Piranha, 1988)<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Romero |first=Angel |date=6 December 2017 |title=Artist profiles: Stella Chiweshe {{!}} World Music Central |url=https://worldmusiccentral.org/2017/12/06/artist-profiles-stella-chiweshe/ |access-date=22 January 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122103131/https://worldmusiccentral.org/2017/12/06/artist-profiles-stella-chiweshe/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> * ''Chisi'' (1989)<ref name=":9" /> * ''Kumusha'' (1990)<ref name=":9" /> * ''Shungu'' (1994)<ref name=":5" /> * ''Healing Tree: Best of Stella Chiweshe'' (1998)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pareles |first=Jon |date=29 January 1999 |title=CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; A Global Heartbeat On CD's |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/29/movies/critic-s-notebook-a-global-heartbeat-on-cd-s.html |access-date=22 January 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122103129/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/29/movies/critic-s-notebook-a-global-heartbeat-on-cd-s.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * ''Talking Mbira: Spirits of Liberation'' (2002)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Margasak |first=Peter |date=30 January 2003 |title=Stella Chiweshe |url=http://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/stella-chiweshe/ |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=Chicago Reader |language=en-US |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122103146/https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/stella-chiweshe/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zimbabwean Albums – The Essential 10 |url=https://www.songlines.co.uk/features/essential-10/zimbabwean-albums-the-essential-10 |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=Songlines |language=en |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122104641/https://www.songlines.co.uk/features/essential-10/zimbabwean-albums-the-essential-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> * ''Double Check'' (2006)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stella Chiweshe – Double Check |url=https://www.rootsworld.com/reviews/stellac06.shtml |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=rootsworld.com |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122103137/https://www.rootsworld.com/reviews/stellac06.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> * ''Ndondopetera'' (2007)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berlin |first=Digital in |date=2 April 2017 |title=Stella Chiweshe |url=https://www.digitalinberlin.de/stella-chiweshe/ |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=Digital in Berlin |language=en-US |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122103132/https://www.digitalinberlin.de/stella-chiweshe/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":9" /> * ''Chakandiwana'' – Stella Chiweshe & Michele Longo" (2014)<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 July 2015 |title=Stella Chiweshe |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/stella-chiweshe |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=Music in Africa |language=en |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122103142/https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/stella-chiweshe |url-status=live }}</ref> * ''Kasahwa: Early Singles'' (2018)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Stephen |date=11 October 2018 |title=Stella Chiweshe – Kasahwa: Early Singles |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/stella-chiweshe-kasahwa-early-singles-107692/ |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=UNCUT |language=en-GB |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122103136/https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/stella-chiweshe-kasahwa-early-singles-107692/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''Contributing artist''' * ''The Rough Guide to the Music of Zimbabwe'' (World Music Network, 1996)<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|last=McKinney|first=Raymond|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-rough-guide-to-the-music-of-zimbabwe-mw0000088579|work=AllMusic|title=The Rough Guide to the Music of Zimbabwe|accessdate=30 December 2013|archive-date=18 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518001643/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-rough-guide-to-the-music-of-zimbabwe-mw0000088579|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also== * Mbira * Music of Zimbabwe
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Wikiquote|Stella Chiweshe}} * {{Official website}} * {{AllMusic}} * {{Discogs artist}} * {{IMDb name}} * [http://www.fly.co.uk/fly/archives/africamiddle_east_features/stella_chiweshe_mystic_sounds.html Lengthy feature about Stella Chiweshe at Fly] * [http://www.rootsworld.com/interview/chiweshe.shtml "Stella Chiweshe: Seeking the sound of liberation"]—interview by Jennifer Byrne, from RootsWorld
===Listening=== *[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1470234 Stella Chiweshe, Live in Studio 4A] from National Public Radio's ''Weekend Edition'', Sunday 19 October 2003
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chiweshe, Stella}} Category:1946 births Category:2023 deaths Category:21st-century Zimbabwean women singers Category:20th-century Zimbabwean women singers Category:Deaths from brain cancer in Zimbabwe