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    • rhythm
    • singing
    • participation
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    • African mbiras
    • mbira dzavadzimu
    • construction
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Beauler Dyoko

Beauler Dyoko, known in Zimbabwe as the "Queen of Mbira Music," is Zimbabwe's first woman mbira recording artist.

She is leader and featured singer with the popular contemporary mbira ensemble, The Black Souls, and has regularly been invited to perform a traditional song to open the Zimbabwean Parliament. She has also performed with Mhuri yekwa Rwizi/Soul of Mbira groups for many years in Zimbabwe and throughout the world.

Beauler is also a spirit medium, an herbalist, fashion designer, and teacher of traditional Shona cooking. Beauler is an active member of organizations promoting women musicians in Zimbabwe, and has written original songs in support of AIDS awareness and non-violence. She is the sole supporter of a large extended family of grandchildren, nieces and nephews in Zimbabwe.

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xAmbuya playing at a beer hall – 1970s
From the film Mbira Music - Spirit of the People
(I have yet to be able to confirm availability from the producer, Zimmedia)

Ambuya plays her composition Unozofa, New York City 2002

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Ambuya with her group, Zimbabwe, 1998
(Beauler's son playing ngoma
)

Ambuya plays her composition Kasuva Musha, New York City 2002

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Ambuya with Cosmas Magaya - Hudson, NY - 2002

 

You can purchase music by Ambuya Beauler Dyoko at dandemutande dandemutande kutsinhira