Chiedza Melody Wheeler, known professionally as Chichi Wembira, is a Zimbabwean-born musician, cultural educator, and performer based in Cincinnati, Ohio. A versatile artist, she is an accomplished mbira (Zimbabwean thumb piano) player, dancer, vocalist, songwriter, and percussionist whose work promotes African culture through both performance and teaching.
Originally from Zimbabwe and ancestrally belonging to the Korekore tribe, Chichi received a Diploma in Music from the Music Crossroads Academy in Zimbabwe.
Her musical journey has taken her across the globe, performing both as a solo artist and as a band member at international festivals and events including Ethno Sweden (2018), Ethno USA (2021), Ethno Zimbabwe (2023), Bia Afrika Roots Zambia (2021), and the Miombo Magic Festival (2017, 2022, and 2025).
At the Bi-Okoto Drum and Dance Center in Cincinnati, Chichi serves as a Teaching and Performing Artist, helping fulfill the organization’s mission to educate, enlighten, and engage the community through African cultural traditions. Through workshops, classes, and live performances, she inspires audiences of all ages to connect with African heritage.
Her musical foundation is rooted in the mbira, a traditional Zimbabwean instrument revered as both a musical and spiritual tool. She performs multiple mbira styles, including Nhare, Nyunganyunga, and Mavembe, each carrying unique tonal and cultural significance.
Chichi’s performance style blends traditional rhythms, layered harmonics, expressive vocals, and movement, creating an immersive and transportive experience. Audiences often describe her music as soulful, meditative, and deeply moving.
Beyond performance, Chichi is a passionate advocate for cultural preservation and education. She believes that African music is a powerful tool for storytelling, identity, and connection, especially within the diaspora.
Through her work in Cincinnati and beyond, Chichi Wembira continues to build bridges between cultures, inspire new generations, and ensure that the rich traditions of African music remain vibrant and alive.
