Anesu's Grant Awards & Research Projects

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

Ngoma dzaVaNdau/The Music of the Ndau People Project

I'm 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

I 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

I 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 my first formally funded research project! I 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

I 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

I made a 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

I 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

I 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