Chirikure Chirikure

Poetry

He started his poetry in the 1980 while he was still a student at the University of Zimbabwe. Chirikure is credited for popularising local poetry internationally. He had done eight audio recording and one such collaboration was with the late mbira queen Chiwoniso Maraire in Poetry with mbira music.^[1] His talent won him the curatorship of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA). Chirikure has written more than three poetry books including Rukuvhute, Chamupupuri, Hakurarwi – We Shall not Sleep and Aussicht Auf Eigene Schatten (Shona and English poems with German translations).

Publications

1. Rukuvhute, (Poetry in Shona) (1989)
2. Chamupupuri (Poetry in Shona) (1994)
3. Hakurarwi – We Shall not Sleep (Poetry in Shona, with English translations), (1998)
4. Aussicht Auf Eigene Schatten (Shona and English poems with German translations)(2011)
5. Mavende aKiti (Children’s Stories) (1989)
6. Zimbabwe Junior Certificate Shona Revision (1989)
7. Grade Seven Shona Revision (Co-author), (1989)
8. Zviri Muchinokoro (Co-author: Poetry anthology), (2005)
9. Intwasa Poetry (Co-author: Poetry anthology) (2008).^[2]

Discography/Audio Recordings

1. Chisina Basa (Album of poetry with contemporary music) (2011)
2. Chimanimani (duet with Chiwoniso Maraire – poetry with mbira music) (2011)
3. Napukeni, (Album of mbira music and poetry), (2002)
4. Ray of Hope, (Compilation album of AIDS awareness music: Contributed song/poem “Kuchaedza Chete”, with DeteMbira)
5. Mhakure, the cobra and “Lizards for fish”, Poetry on album Ishago, (2001)
6. Famba Zvakanaka, (Compilation album: Contributed song/poetry “In the dark?” ) (2005)
7. Ngazvitaurwe/Speak Out, (Compilation album encouraging civic society to speak out on issues affecting their lives) (2006)
8. Several contributions/collaborative recordings on other artists’ albums.

Collaboration with Nyathi

In 2014, He collaborated with ling time friend Albert Nyathi to produce a music album entitled Connected. officially launched at the Book Cafe in May, the album explores various issues ranging from time management to water and electricity woes.^[3] The album features original and innovative poetry delivered in Shona, Ndebele and English against a backdrop of guitars, penny whistles, percussion and harmonies.^[4] The eight-track album is based on cultural solidarity was put together in an effort to unite people from all corners of the country. Written in Shona and Ndebele, Connected carries tracks including Kudala/Makare kare, Okhubekeyo/Anogumburwa, Butsu/Izicathulo and Isikhathi/Nguva among others.^[5]

Awards

His first three poetry books, Rukuvhute, Chamupupuriand Hakurarwi – We Shall not Sleep all received first prizes at the annual Zimbabwean Writer of the Year Awards.

References