Tributes to Chiwoniso Maraire One Year On 24 Jul 2014 Written by Zimbo Jam Network Published in Musical Zimbabwe Activate Zimbabwe adds its voice in commemorating the one year anniversary of the untimely passing on of our dear sister, a music and mbira legend. Your voice continue to show us the light, love, unity, respect for one another, equality to all genders, love for the innocent children, a country that can provide for its own and the protection of our heritage. You made us proud and you continue to inspire us in fighting for social, economic, political and cultural harmony. Our sister we cherish your legacy and we will continue to encourage others to emulate your ways as you did in your earthly life. We remember you today and join millions of those you touched across the world during your life with us here on planet Earth. You are gone and yet you continue to motivate and inspire us. #activatezimbabwe As we commemorate the one year anniversary of the premature passing of Zimbabwe’s mbira queen, Chiwoniso Maraire, on 24 July 2013, Zimbo Jam continues to receive tributes, stories, and memories from all over the world – a testament to the depth and breadth of this soulful songstress’s impact and how many hearts she touched. Batsirai Chigama CHIWONISO MARAIRE - A TRIBUTE Zvinoita kunge kamwana karikudzidzira kutaura nganoHeko kasimuka ‘Paivapo,’pasina adavira kuti, dzepfunde kobva kati ‘ndipo pakaperera sarungano’heko kogara pasi. © Batsirai E Chigama, 2013 Oliver Mtukudzi I think the best thing that Chiwoniso did was to lead the way for young Zimbabwean mbira players, especially ladies. She made young women proud to be mbira players and singers. Yes, there are ladies like Stella Chiweshe, Beaula Dyoko and so on, but she was the youngest mbira player to make us proud to be Zimbabwean at a time when many would not even consider the instrument. Chirikure Chirikure Legends are not made by people. Legends are born and their path is lit in advance. The question is; Will you answer the call and answer it properly? Chiwoniso is one of those legends who answered the call, both in terms of composition and creativity and delivery. Performng with her was dynamic. Every show was a different occasion, a different experience with its own type of energy. Wherever we were in the world she brought that dynamism with her so much so that you looked forward to the performances. Edith WeUtonga For me Chiwoniso was the epitome of love. Whenever I met Chiwoniso, whenever I saw her greet a person, it was always a kiss and a hug. It didnt matter who it was, as long as she knew that person she was full of love. Thats what I remember most. I worked with her towards the time that she really got sick and we were doing a project on peace. There was just so much love in the room. So for me she is the representation of love. Wadzanai Ndlovu Growing up with Chi as an older sister was amazing. There were times when I never understood all she was doing was just to protect me. Tendai, my sister, and I come after and Chi decided that as I had come of age and had started going out they wanted to protect me keep me safe and ensure that as a young lady I would not go through what they did, making it very difficult for any guy to get close! One particular day we went out, just Chi and I, and I ended sleeping over at her place. The next morning I was called for an audition at the National Art Gallery for a fashion show. Chi insisted I could find something in her wardrobe and save time instead of going home so she gave me a white dress with slits on both sides. We both thought I looked hot so I wore it! Unknown to the both of us it was too hot for the public and I caused a commotion. The police had to clam things down! All she had to say was Mazirudo! Mai Chengeto I love you and thank you for the lessons learnt mwa! Joanna Ruvimbo I remember this night so vividly every time I think of her. It was my first time to see her play but I had been a fan of her music for a very long time. I will never forget that welcoming smile. My favorite song will always be AMAI. Thank you for sharing your gift with others. Rest in peace. Hope Masike Chi, if I could write a letter to you, this is all the questions Id ask: How did you keep smiling? We, in our human inadequacy, talked behind your back, laughed at you, took advantage of your loving nature and very rarely complimented the unconditional love you had, or even the great music you open-heartedly shared. Only now that you are gone, we take time to write about what a wonderful soul you were, and how we undervalued you. How did you keep smiling at us, the world? Wherever you are now, know this, your music still inspires all of us, your voice, natural and inimitable, you were a beautiful African jewel. But above all, you had the warm, loving heart of a true angel from the heavens. Larry Kwirirayi Chiwoniso was a one-off, an incredibly beautiful soul. Beautiful soul and amazing. I have so much to say but I do not even have the words. So many moments. I will forever miss The Chi... I said once that she was like David Beckhams right foot to England or Lionel Messis left foot to Argentina.. A heritage... I will always love the Chi. Samm Monro/aka Comrade Fatso A memory I have of Chi is our creation of the song Bread & Roses together. I wrote the lyrics and Chi then brought it to life with her voice and her mbira. She performed it at HIFA that year and after that we performed it in different countries, from UK to the US. Each time Chi performed it brought a chill down my spine. Her voice was magnificent and hauntingly evocative. Chiwoniso was one of the greatest artists Zimbabwe has ever given birth to. Theresa Muteta A true inspiration, a voice that reached the hearts of many even if they didnt understand our mother tongue. Picking up the mbira was a life changing decision and one of the best I ever made, this is thanks to you my sister Chi. Tears may dry but memories will never fade away. I will forever be grateful for the love, knowledge and skill you gladly passed on. Rest in peace, mofamba zvakanaka mukoma. Tongai Makawa/aka Outspoken the Humble Neophyte I do not recall any of our many conversations with Chi mainly because she was such a sister to me and it was normal to share special moments with her as she had a way of making every encounter special through her recognition of every individual as being an intricate fabric interweaving in our realities. This was so surreal because I was/am also a fan of hers so every interaction was cherished. From free styling together in America in 2009 to sharing intimate conversations on relationships, I was fortunate to see our friendship grow with each encounter. We hardly spoke on music, but when I was working on my album I had a track I wanted her magic...she naturally agreed and several months of hectic scheduling later we were in the studio with Clive Mono Mukundu. Chiwoniso always had giggling eyes that sparkled every time I met her...I noticed the warmth of her heart in our very first encounter in 2005 at the Book Cafe. It was after a poetry slam competition that I had won, she shared some great words of wisdom with me and autographed my book and the sign off words are ones that I will remember to the day I die because I feel they manage to encompass everything humanity needs in order to progress... Blessings, love and light. There are too many stories with my dear sister that it is hard to pick one; her stature is hard to compress into moments because she was so full of life and every moment was a lifetime in itself. So from the beautiful words that she shared with me I continue to share with you all.... Blessings, love and light. Josh Meck My first European trip was with Chiwoniso. She saw me performing at Jazz 105 in 2009 and then asked me if I could join the band on their upcoming tour. For me it was such an honour as she was already a legend by that time. We traveled together all over the world, but one major characteristic I will always remember for was the way she respected each and every member in her band. She was never bossy or rude to anyone, not even once. I remember when I released my first solo album, she used to force me to sing one of my songs during her shows, no matter how big the gig was, she would say, “Josh, you better do one of your songs because we are all on this platform together and why not showcase your music as well?” I dearly miss her, especially now that I’m in Europe – lots of memories come back of all the good times we had at airports, the jokes, and all the great gigs we played together. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on a great legend like Chiwoniso. Trymore “Guchi” Jombo She was my best female artist of all time, she had awesome voice and she was a lovely person too and she is still my best. Bongo Love We miss you sister Chi, always in our heart. Mazirudo! Clive Mono Mukundu I first heard of Chiwoniso when I heard her album ”Ancient Voices” which I consider to be one of the best albums ever recorded in Zimbabwe. So it was an honour when she called me asking me to go on tour with her on her 2007-8 European tour. It was a joy to work with her; she was always joyful tichispakwa. All the gigs we did the promoters always told us we were the best of the festivals. Pamari she paid us more than we agreed every time, which is rare in our industry. So from that time we became friends, She also became a family friend who was close to my family. When she passed away it was a huge blow. We will always miss her. Dominic Muntanga Chiwoniso was more than a musician. This photo was taken in Brooklyn, New York some years back when she came to record a short piece for a documentary feature. She was such an amazing person with so much humility, grace and just a pleasant person to be around. On the day she stayed with us, we found that she had cleaned the house, cooked and was now in her amazing outfit made out of the Zimbabwe Flag colors. We laughed about the dress and her patriotism, in our very strong Zimbabwe accent. That is the person she was- full of life, laughter and patriotism through music! Tendai Gumbo Wilkinson There are no words that can explain the lifetime of friendship I shared with my soul sister. I miss you Chiwowo...... I will love you forever and beyond. Antonella Bargione I remember a HIFA show where Baaba Maal was performing. Chiwoniso was dancing in the crowd he saw her and called her on stage. They did three songs together and it was absolutely beautiful. She was in the feeling of music. She was the music. She didnt have time to think about things like is my dress too long or too short, or is my makeup ok. She was just out there doing her music. Mokoomba It has been almost a year since Chiwoniso left us, but the hole that she left in our hearts and in the music scene of Zimbabwe has yet to mend. For Mokoomba as a group, Chi was always and remains an inspiration, as she is for all aspiring musicians in the country. She proved that career success – local and international recognition for Zimbabwean music and our traditional sounds is not a dream but can become a reality. Her authenticity and commitment to Zimbabwean music, makes her a role model and an icon for generations to come. While she is irreplaceable, we hope that the love and admiration that the music community and the people of Zimbabwe feel for Chiwoniso can be a consolation to her family, now and always. Max Wild The last time I saw Chi ironically was when she pretty much saved my life. We had just had a great recording session at Mono (Mukundus) studio where we recorded Dance Tonight. I was driving us home in my friend’s car and still wasnt fully used to driving on the left hand side of the road. It didnt help that there were no streetlights and I couldnt actually see the road or which side of it I was really on. Then in the distance I saw an oncoming commuter taxi coming towards us. Caught off guard my natural instinct was to keep to the right, the taxi getting closer and closer. Chi suddenly looked up, saw what was happening and shouted at me to get to the side of the road. I hit the brakes as did the other car but a small head-on collision was not to be avoided. Luckily no-one was hurt but at that moment my life had flashed before my eyes and I was in shock. Chi calmed me down and said everything was fine. That was the last time I saw her. Chi was an amazing person, incredibly generous and humble. She treated me like a brother, she taught me about life and music. Chi, I am grateful for the time we spent together, for the jokes we shared, for the beautiful music we made together. I can feel you smiling over us, I miss you but when I hear your voice it is like you never left us. Go well my friend, wherever you are, we will see you again soon. Albert Chimedza She was a great musician. Period. Where a lot of musicians play from the mind, Chiwoniso played from the heart. Other mbira musicians out there do a lot of experimentation, Chiwoniso just did expression. Every time I saw her perform it was different and new. You could tell that the music was a part of her. Verity Norman Darling Chi. Our friendship is what I like to call a trans-continental soul connection. The first time I sat and talked with you was at HIFA 2006. After seeing you perform at the Poetry Café you and I sat with another friend, sipping coffee and wine, talking about life, politics, music, youth for hours and hours. The soul connection was immediately established. A few short years later my heart skipped a beat when you called and asked me to play violin with you and Vibe Culture at an event at the EU Commissioner’s Harare residence. What followed was a friendship that centred around love, rudo, music. We sat for hours under the stars or by the pool at the Bronte, watching little Chiedza and Chengeto swim, while our instruments found new tunes and set free soaring harmonies. Your heart was healing from a painful breakup, and we spent many days and night talking about life, the future, how to cope with deep pain. When you and I moved kuUS, we continued our friendship, meeting up at various places along the east coast…you once even spent a night sleeping on my floor, insisting it was “fine”! Darling friend, thank you for always introducing me to others as “…one of your best friends. And she doesn’t drink!” You always made me feel like I was the only one in the room. You made everyone feel that way, with your generous spirit and deep, deep love. We mourn you. We celebrate you. We love you. Cristihan Guterre Sometimes she would come to my home in Marina del wry and ask: how long can I stay here ? Of course I would say: for as long as you want. She would be so amazed that at 11 am she would be awakened by sea lions. She loved silence and nature. I have been up for days (at least 12-13) just anticipating her anniversary. Still not Ok with it. I miss her so very, very much.... Her laughter and the way she would hold me .... We had some interesting shows and she would always make sure she held me .... I miss that so very much..... I have been in tears anticipating her anniversary. I wish today I was stronger. But hurting.... Mildred Chakwenya Never knew her personally, yet so much about her inspired me. Particularly her ability to ground herself in our culture in terms of her music and persona. She was unbelievably talented, her music was insightful of societal ills. I was actually inspired to buy my own little Mbira cause of her. Cant play so well yet, but best believe Ill get there. Really loved those dreadlocks on her, one could say that it was a mark of AFRICAN PRIDE!! She was gorgeous. A brilliant and confident character. I believe that she still had a lot to impart to us. Hoping that her death wont stray us from learning from her legacy still. Her talent and her being lives on! RIP Chiwoniso Maraire. ------ We will continue to update this page as more tributes come in. Send your tribute and photo to tribute@chiwonisomaraire.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 08:27:35 +0000
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