Chirikure, Chirikure
Genre:
Poetry (Shona)
Bio:
The art of dub poetry has its roots in Matebeleland, where the imbongi composed poems for the reigning kings of their day, praising their worth and using satire to mock any wrong doing. It was something that only a gifted poet could do, and the poetic license bestowed on him was such that he could not be harmed for denigrating the king.
The tradition of dub poetry has been given new meaning by Chirikure Chirikure, a poet of considerable repute. Born in Gutu in 1962, Chirikure has carved a niche in Zimbabwean poetry through using music and art performances to wallow the crowd with wisdom and satire over the day to day events of African Society. Decrying the injustices prevalent in the political and social spheres of Zimbabwean life, Chirikure has has the uncanny ability to make the audience laugh at themselves and bemoarn their plight through carefully chosen words that mirror society.
His career spans more than one and a half decades, heralded by his first collection of poems in 1989, Rukuvhute (College Press, 1989) which received favourable mention at the 1990 NOMA awards. It was to be followed by two more works, Chamupupuri (College Press,1994) in 1994 and Hakurarwi (Baobab Books, 1998) in 1998. All three publications have won him literary awards. Perhaps 2004 saw the zenith of Chirukure's work when his publication, Hakurarwi was nominated amongst the 75 best Zimbabwean books.
His poems, written in shona and English rake the day to day lives of ordinary people, articulating their fears and aspirations, hopes and dreams. You will find the people's incredulity in poems like Nzvimbo dzemumabhuku, (Places of Fiction) where his attempts to recount his trip to Timbuktu is met with droning laughs and mockery.
Perhaps his greatest achievement has been in his use of poetry and music. In 2002 he cut his first record featuring ten poems. He has continued to use music to accompany some of his performances.
Chirikure Chirikure is a poet and family man. He is father to two children has been involved in the publishing industry for a long time.
Publications:
Hakurarwi- We Shall Not Sleep, Baobab Books (1998)
Champupuri, College Press (1994)
Rukuvhute, College Press (1989)
Bio by Jameson Gadzirai
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