Art and Music in Zimbabwe
Visual Arts
Stone Sculpture
Zimbabwe’s most internationally renowned art form:Origins and Development:
- Contemporary movement began in the 1950s at Tengenenge Sculpture Community
- Mentored by Frank McEwen at the National Gallery Workshop School
- Deep roots in traditional Shona spiritual beliefs and aesthetics
- Rapid international recognition from 1960s onwards
- Second and third generations now building on founders’ legacy
- Works featured in major museums worldwide
- Primarily carved from serpentine stone and verdite
- Range from palm-sized pieces to monumental works
- Abstract yet expressive human and animal forms
- Spiritual themes exploring relationship between humans and nature
- Minimal use of tools, allowing stone’s natural properties to guide the work
- Each stone believed to have its own spirit that influences the final form
- Polished and unpolished surfaces often contrasted in single works
- First generation masters: Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Henry Munyaradzi, Bernard Matemera
- Contemporary masters: Dominic Benhura, Sylvester Mubayi, Agnes Nyanhongo
- Rising talents: Gideon Nyanhongo, Rufaro Murenza, Liberty Shuro
- Harare: Chapungu Sculpture Park, National Gallery, Matombo Gallery
- Tengenenge: Artist community near Guruve
- Victoria Falls: Craft markets and dedicated galleries
- Prices: Range from $50 for small pieces to thousands for major works
- Shipping: Most galleries arrange international shipping
- Authenticity: Always request certificates of authenticity
Painting and Contemporary Art
Contemporary Painting
Zimbabwe’s evolving painting tradition:Historical Development:
- Formal painting traditions introduced through colonial mission schools
- Early focus on realistic depictions of daily life
- 1980s independence sparked new creative freedom
- Growing abstract and experimental approaches
- Increasing international exhibition opportunities
- Cyrene Mission School realism
- Post-independence political expressionism
- Contemporary abstract and conceptual approaches
- Diasporic Zimbabwean art examining identity
- Richard Witikani
- Luis Meque
- Helen Lieros
- Portia Zvavahera
- Virginia Chihota
- Misheck Masamvu
- National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Harare)
- Gallery Delta (Harare)
- National Gallery in Bulawayo
Mixed Media & Installation
Growing contemporary scene:Current Trends:
- Increasing use of found objects and recycled materials
- Political and social commentary through art
- Integration of traditional symbols with contemporary issues
- Exploration of environmental themes
- Digital art and new media emerging
- Tapfuma Gutsa (mixed media sculpture)
- Masimba Hwati (installation and performance)
- Berry Bickle (multimedia works)
- Gareth Nyandoro (paper-based installations)
- Chikonzero Chazunguza (printmaking and mixed media)
- First Floor Gallery (Harare)
- Village Unhu (Harare)
- National Gallery of Zimbabwe
- Dzimbanhete Arts Interactions (outside Harare)
- Temporary and pop-up exhibitions
Traditional Crafts
Functional art with deep cultural roots:Basketry:
- Distinctive regional styles and techniques
- Natural fibers like ilala palm and sisal
- Complex patterns with symbolic meanings
- Traditional and contemporary designs
- Practical items with decorative elements
- Hand-built traditional methods
- Decorative and functional pieces
- Regional styles with distinctive patterns
- Fire-blackened finish in some traditions
- Hand-woven cloth
- Tie-dye techniques
- Embroidery and beadwork
- Appliqué and patchwork
- Craft markets throughout Zimbabwe
- Women’s cooperatives in rural areas
- Weya Women’s Community near Rusape
Wood Carving
Long-standing tradition combining function and art:Traditional Items:
- Headrests (mutsago)
- Ceremonial staffs and walking sticks
- Bowls and serving items
- Doors and furniture with relief carving
- Elaborate spirit figures from Tonga regions
- Abstract animal forms from eastern regions
- Realistic wildlife carvings for tourist market
- Traditional and contemporary approaches
- Mukwa (native teak)
- Ebony and blackwood
- Jacaranda (introduced species)
- Sustainable harvesting increasingly important
- Craft markets in all major cities
- Roadside sellers on major routes
- Specialist craft shops in tourist areas
- Custom commissions through artist cooperatives
Art Galleries and Museums
Key venues to experience Zimbabwean art:National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Harare)
- Premier institution showcasing Zimbabwean art
- Permanent collection of historical and contemporary works
- Rotating exhibitions of national and international artists
- Sculpture garden with significant permanent pieces
- Educational programs and workshops
- Location: 20 Julius Nyerere Way, Harare
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-1pm
- Branch focusing on artists from Matabeleland
- Regional artistic styles and perspectives
- Exhibition space for emerging local artists
- Cultural and historical exhibitions
- Located in historic building in Bulawayo
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-4:30pm, Sunday 9am-1pm
- Contemporary art focus in historic house
- Cutting-edge exhibitions and installations
- Support for experimental and emerging artists
- Regular exhibition openings and events
- Location: 110 Livingstone Avenue, Harare
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-1pm
- Working artist community north of Harare
- Over 300 artists living and creating on site
- Outdoor gallery of thousands of sculptures
- Opportunity to meet artists at work
- Workshops and demonstrations
- Location: Near Guruve, 150km from Harare
- Hours: Daily 8am-5pm
- Contemporary art with international connections
- Young and mid-career artist focus
- Modern exhibition space in downtown Harare
- Regular new exhibitions and art events
- Location: 2nd Floor, Karigamombe Centre, Harare
- Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-2pm
Music Traditions
Traditional Music
Mbira Music
Sacred and social thumb piano tradition:The Instrument:
- Metal keys mounted on wooden soundboard
- Played with thumbs and forefingers
- Various types including nhare, nyunga nyunga, matepe
- Often placed in resonator (deze) for amplification
- Sometimes with bottle caps or shells as buzzers
- Central to Shona spiritual ceremonies
- Used in bira ceremonies to contact ancestors
- Believed to facilitate spirit possession
- Also played for social entertainment
- Handed down through generations
- Traditional: Hakurotwi Mude, Ephat Mujuru
- Contemporary: Forward Kwenda, Stella Chiweshe
- Fusion: Chiwoniso Maraire, Hope Masike
- Mbira Centre in Harare
- Cultural villages near Great Zimbabwe
- Traditional ceremonies in rural areas
- Fusion performances at urban venues
Drumming Traditions
Rhythmic foundations of Zimbabwean music:Types of Drums:
- Ngoma: Conical wooden drums
- Hosho: Gourd rattles accompanying drums
- Mhande: Ceremonial drums for specific rituals
- Muchongoyo: Dance drums from eastern regions
- Royal court celebrations
- Harvest festivals and agricultural ceremonies
- Spirit possession ceremonies
- Life-cycle celebrations (birth, coming-of-age, marriage)
- Tonga ngoma mutwiw from Zambezi Valley
- Ndebele isitshikitsha dance rhythms
- Shangaan fast-paced drum patterns
- Korekore ritual drumming styles
- Traditional villages throughout Zimbabwe
- Cultural centers in major cities
- HIFA and other festivals
- Bira ceremonies (with appropriate permission)
Vocal Traditions
Rich heritage of vocal music:Traditional Styles:
- Call and response work songs
- Lullabies and children’s game songs
- Praise poetry (izibongo/nhetembo)
- Wedding songs and ceremonial chants
- Church choral traditions
- School competition choirs
- A cappella township groups
- Vocal jazz ensembles
- Black Umfolosi (Ndebele a cappella)
- Insingizi (male vocal trio)
- Nobuntu (female a cappella)
- Zimbabwe College of Music choirs
- Church services (especially Apostolic and Methodist)
- Community gatherings in rural areas
- School competitions
- Cultural centers and festivals
Dance Traditions
Movement and music inseparably linked:Key Dance Styles:
- Jerusarema/Mbende (UNESCO recognized)
- Muchongoyo (ceremonial war dance)
- Isitshikitsha (Ndebele celebratory dance)
- Dinhe (harvest celebration dance)
- Shangara (Kalanga community dance)
- Intricate footwork
- Call and response patterns
- Integration of instruments and movement
- Specific costumes and implements
- Gender-specific movements in some traditions
- National dance companies
- School cultural troupes
- Contemporary choreographers’ reinterpretations
- Fusion with modern dance forms
- Drums of Peace performances
- National dance company shows
- Cultural villages
- HIFA and other festivals
Contemporary Music Scenes
Zimbabwe’s diverse modern music landscape:Chimurenga Music
- Revolutionary music pioneered by Thomas Mapfumo
- Blending traditional mbira with modern instruments
- Political and social commentary in lyrics
- Complex interlocking guitar patterns mimicking mbira
- Distinctive sound recognized worldwide
- Key artists: Thomas Mapfumo, Comrade Fatso, Stella Chiweshe
- Fast-paced, guitar-driven popular styles
- Emerged in the 1980s post-independence
- Energetic dance rhythms and vocal harmonies
- Often sung in Shona with cultural storytelling
- Extremely popular throughout rural and urban Zimbabwe
- Key artists: Alick Macheso, Tongai Moyo, Leonard Zhakata
- Blending traditional elements with jazz instrumentation
- Sophisticated arrangements and improvisational elements
- International appeal while maintaining Zimbabwean identity
- Pioneer Oliver Mtukudzi developed distinctive “Tuku Music”
- Growing female artist representation
- Key artists: Oliver Mtukudzi, Dorothy Masuka, Victor Kunonga, Jazz Invitation
- Hip-hop, R&B, dancehall influences
- Known locally as “Urban Grooves”
- Emerged in early 2000s with younger generation
- Often mixing English, Shona, and Ndebele lyrics
- Digital production and distribution dominant
- Key artists: Winky D, Jah Prayzah, ExQ, Ammara Brown
- Enormously popular across Zimbabwe
- Mega-churches fostering musical talent
- Range from traditional hymnal styles to contemporary
- Crossover appeal to secular audiences
- Major commercial success domestically
- Key artists: Charles Charamba, Blessing Shumba, Janet Manyowa
Music Venues and Experiences
Where to experience Zimbabwean music:Harare Music Venues:
- Maestro Restaurant & Bar: Regular live bands and jazz
- Book Café: When operating, diverse musical programming
- Jameson Hotel: Jazz sessions and bands
- Private member clubs: Regular weekend performances
- Hotel bars: Especially Meikles and Rainbow Towers
- Bulawayo Theatre: Concerts and performances
- The Smokehouse: Blues and jazz nights
- Horizon Bar: Weekend live bands
- City Hall: Classical and choral concerts
- Boma Dinner and Drum Show: Interactive drumming experience
- Victoria Falls Hotel: Occasional live music
- Shearwater Café: Weekend performances
- Victoria Falls Safari Lodge: Seasonal musical events
- Harare International Festival of the Arts (April/May)
- Miombo Magic Festival (August/September)
- Victoria Falls Carnival (December 29-31)
- Zimpraise Gospel Festival (varies)
- Spring Strings classical music festival (September)
- Mbira workshops in Harare (check Mbira Centre)
- Drum workshops at cultural centers
- Traditional instrument making demonstrations
- Dance lessons available through tour operators
- Studio visits with contemporary musicians
- Community music circles in townships
- Zimbabwe Music Rights Association archive
- Ethnomusicology collection at Zimbabwe College of Music
- Field recordings of traditional ceremonies
- Digitization efforts of historical musical heritage
- Oral history project documenting musical evolution
Finding Authentic Music and Art
How to experience Zimbabwe’s vibrant artistic culture:Live Music Venues:
- Book Café (Harare): When operating, the premier venue for diverse musical performances
- Maestro’s (Harare): Regular jazz and contemporary music
- The Smokehouse (Bulawayo): Blues and jazz-focused venue
- Victoria Falls Hotel Terrace: Occasional traditional performances
- Alliance Française (Harare): Cultural performances and concerts
- Private member clubs: Weekend performances in major cities
- Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA): Premier arts event in April/May
- Bulawayo Arts Festival: Celebration of Matabeleland culture in June
- Intwasa Arts Festival: Bulawayo’s spring celebration in September
- Shoko Festival: Hip-hop and urban culture in September
- Zimbabwe International Film Festival: Screenings across the country in August
- Rural Growth Points: Weekend gatherings with traditional music
- Cultural Villages: Regular performances for visitors
- Bira Ceremonies: Sacred music events (requires appropriate connections/permission)
- Specialized Tour Operators: Can arrange authentic music experiences
- Community Centers: Often host local performance groups
- First Floor Gallery (Harare): Cutting-edge contemporary work
- National Gallery: Both Harare and Bulawayo branches
- Gallery Delta (Harare): Housed in historic building with diverse exhibitions
- Village Unhu (Harare): Artist collective and exhibition space
- Dzimbanhete Arts Center: Outside Harare, focus on traditional influences
- Tengenenge: Major sculptor community (150km north of Harare)
- Chapungu Sculpture Park (Harare): Outdoor exhibition space
- Dominic Benhura Studio: Open to visitors by appointment
- Harare Botanical Gardens: Outdoor sculpture exhibitions
- Roadside sculpture markets: Along major routes (quality varies)
Art and Music Shopping
Music Purchases
Where to buy Zimbabwean music:
- Eastgate Mall record shops (Harare)
- Spin Record Bar branches in major cities
- African Drums shop in Doon Estate (Harare)
- Mbira Centre for traditional instruments
- Concert venues selling performer recordings
- Digital platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube
- Oliver Mtukudzi (Afro-jazz legend)
- Thomas Mapfumo (Chimurenga music pioneer)
- Stella Chiweshe (mbira queen)
- Jah Prayzah (contemporary fusion)
- Mokoomba (Victoria Falls-based fusion group)
- Hope Masike (contemporary mbira)
Art Purchases
Buying authentic Zimbabwean art:
- Gallery shops: National Gallery, Gallery Delta
- Doon Estate (Harare): Upscale craft center
- Weya Craft Center (eastern Zimbabwe)
- Avondale Flea Market (Harare): Mid-range crafts
- Curio markets: All tourist areas (quality varies)
- Artist studios: Direct purchases by arrangement
- Request certificates of authenticity for major pieces
- Established galleries provide provenance information
- Direct artist contact ideal for serious collectors
- Consider export regulations for larger items
- Shipping services available for larger purchases
Instrument Shopping
Finding traditional and modern instruments:
- Mbira: Various types available from makers
- Drums: Custom-made through cultural centers
- Shakers & rattles: Markets and craft centers
- Marimba: Custom orders through music schools
- Contemporary instruments: Music stores in malls
- Some instruments require export permits
- Quality varies significantly
- Consider playability vs. decorative value
- Authentic instruments may require demonstration
- Custom commissions often possible
Craft Workshops
Learning traditional arts and crafts:
- Basketry workshops: Eastern Highlands region
- Pottery classes: Harare and Bulawayo art centers
- Textile printing: Various cultural centers
- Beadwork instruction: Particularly in Bulawayo
- Wood carving demonstrations: Artist communities
- Arrange through accommodations
- Cultural centers take direct bookings
- Tour operators can customize experiences
- Multi-day options available for serious learners
- Many include materials to take home
Learn Before You Go
Resources for understanding Zimbabwe’s artistic heritage:Books:
- “Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture” by Celia Winter-Irving
- “Shona Ritual” by Paul Berliner (on mbira music)
- “Township Music from Zimbabwe” by Banning Eyre
- “Made in Zimbabwe” by Christine Sylvester
- “The Story of Mbira” by Paul Berliner
- “Mbira: Spirit of the People”
- “Master Chisellers”
- “Tuku Music” (About Oliver Mtukudzi)
- “Lion’s Den” (Documenting chimurenga music)
- “The Music of Stella Chiweshe”
- Zimbabwe Music Archive (digital collection)
- Africa University ethnomusicology database
- National Gallery of Zimbabwe virtual collections
- YouTube channels featuring traditional performances
- Podcast series on Zimbabwean art history
- “Chimurenga Singles Collection” - Thomas Mapfumo
- “Tuku Music” - Oliver Mtukudzi
- “Talking Mbira: Spirits of the People” - Forward Kwenda
- “Tsunami” - Mokoomba
- “The Traveller” - Stella Chiweshe
- “Sadza With The Head of a Mouse” - The Bhundu Boys