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Chris Berry is a master of both mbira (thumb piano) and the ngoma drum, from the Shona people of Zimbabwe and the Congo respectively. He has earned the title of gwenyambira ("one whose music calls the spirits"), a distinction reserved only for those who have achieved the highest fusion of the technical and the magical in Shona music. His record sales have reached platinum album sales in Zimbabwe and Mozambique for his work with the band Panjea. Mbira Dzavadzimu in deze (top), Mbira Nyunga Nyunga (bottom), Hosho (bottom left). ...
Ngoma is the only settlement in the south of Kafue National Park. ...
Shona (IPA: ) is the name collectively given to several groups of people in Zimbabwe and western Mozambique. ...
Shona music is the music of the Shona language speaking people of Zimbabwe. ...
Berry was born in California, and at age 18 left for Africa to study music there with his mentor Titos Sompa, with whom Berry had been studying since age 13. After originally arriving in Congo's Brazzaville, his fascination of Zimbabwean mbira music eventually led him to Zimbabwe's capital city Harare, where he settled and studied under mbira master Monderek Muchena for ten years. Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area Ranked 3rd - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²) - Width 250 miles (400 km) - Length 770 miles (1,240 km) - % water 4. ...
A world map showing the continent of Africa. ...
Image of Kinshasa and Brazzaville, taken by NASA. Brazzaville is the capital and largest city of the Republic of the Congo and is located on the Congo River. ...
Map of Zimbabwe with the province highlighted Harare (pronounced , formerly Salisbury) is the capital city of Zimbabwe. ...
While studying in Zimbabwe, Berry became one of the first Westerners to be accepted among the elder mbira masters as one of their own.
"I played for a lot of ceremonies where people would become possessed," said Berry. "Some of the old ancestors who came back spoke to me through these people: 'What are you doing here? There are lots of misguided people, lost and confused people, in your country. They're killing each other there. It's time for you to take what you've learned and bring it to your own country because they need it more than we need it here. That's your job. You're the bridge maker.'" After over a decade living in Africa, Berry has now settled back in America following the edict given to him by African ancestor spirits to make a difference among his own people.[citation needed] United States is the current Good Article Collaboration of the week! Please help to improve this article to the highest of standards. ...
See Also Mbira Dzavadzimu in deze (top), Mbira Nyunga Nyunga (bottom), Hosho (bottom left). ...
Shona music is the music of the Shona language speaking people of Zimbabwe. ...
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