Grant Awards & Creative-Innovation Projects

We research traditional African music, both in and outside Zimbabwe. Our primary focus is the performance of music culture, instrument making practices, and dance traditions.

Ngoma dzaVaNdau/The Music of the Ndau People Project

Anesu is documenting Ndau traditional musical practices in collaboration with my elders Sekuru Solomon Madhinga and Sekuru Phillip Kusasa.

Chipinge-Chisangaruwe, Zimbabwe

Sponsored by Music Is Culture

November 2025 - present

Rwanda-Zimbabwe Music Exchange Program

Co-organized a music exchange program between Zimbabwean and Rwandan students at Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology.

Kigali, Rwanda

Sponsored by Lisle International Grant

April 2023

Karanga Ngano Storytelling Course Leader

Partnered with Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center to conduct a free community-centered 8-week online course that centred Karanga storytelling. The workshops were a space to encourage each other during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Online, Worldwide participation

Sponsored by the Anthropology Student Fund & the Summer Experience Award

June - July 2020

Investigating The Preservation Of Shona Mbira Music Among Zimbabwean Youth

This was Anesu's first formally funded research project! He visited the International Library of African Music in South Africa, the Mbira Center in Harare, and the Bhiri family in Masvingo among other individual mbira players.

Makhanda/Grahamstown, South Africa

Harare, Zimbabwe

Masvingo, Zimbabwe

Sponsored by the President Summer Fellowship Award & the Anthropology Research Fund

June - August 2018

ZIMFEST 2019 Research Project

Researched how the Zimbabwe Festival of Music (USA) provides a platform for cross-cultural exchange between Zimbabweans and Americans.

Monmouth, OR (United States of America)

Sponsored by the Anthropology Research Fund

8 - 11 August, 2019

Paiyapo Arts Development and Heritage Centre Research Trip

Carried out research trip to Paiyapo Arts Development and Heritage Centre, an amazing space serving both ChiNdau and non-ChiNdau speaking artists.

Chipinge-Bangira, ZW

July 2023

Little Bets Challenge Award Winner

Anesu received an innovator's award and developed a leadership course for young adults inspired by African oral traditions, proverbs and literature.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Sponsored by Africa Leadership Academy

11 - 12 August 2023

The Ndau Festival of Arts (NDAFA) Research Project

Conducted research on the interconnected nature of the music and dance traditions of the Ndau people of Zimbabwe and Mozambique

Chipinge-Bangira, Zimbabwe

23 September 2023