About MBIRA

MBIRA is a non-profit organization that celebrates and helps to sustain the ancient musical traditions of Zimbabwe.  MBIRA supports Zimbabwean musicians and instrument makers, and their families, through worldwide Zimbabwean music education, recordings, and performances.  In a country with 95% unemployment (Nov. 2010), this provides critical support in the daily struggle for survival.  MBIRA has also created the largest archive of Shona mbira music in the world, which is a permanent resource for generations to come.

MBIRA was incorporated in the State of California as a non-profit public benefit corporation in 1998. The corporation has non-profit status from the U.S. government under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Board of Directors are:

• Erica Azim, President
• Marie Ali, Vice-President
• Genine Coleman, Secretary
• Gilbert G. Bendix, Treasurer
• Tracy Willett
• Todd Boekelheide
• Saralynn Clark

MBIRA’s activities and budget are decided by the board, which meets at least once a year.

Erica Azim directs the day-to-day activites of MBIRA, teaching and organizing workshops and performances, making recordings, and maintaining the MBIRA office.

MBIRA also has a part-time assistant, Joseph Saine, and various occasional volunteers and assistants.

MBIRA respects the long history and cultural/religious context of mbira music in Zimbabwe, and offers thanks to the great spirits of Zimbabwe - the “owners” of this music.

MBIRA is very interested in receiving feedback from both Zimbabweans and non-Zimbabweans regarding its policies and activities. We welcome email, and will respond as soon as we can!