DAYIMANE

(Pic by Val Adamson: Busi Deyi)

Compelling and fascinating piece that resonates with Nguni culture. (Review by Caroline Smart)

Multi-award winning dancer and choreographer Musa Hlatshwayo can always be relied on to produce excellent work that reflects and respects his Zulu culture and resonates with its traditions, all skilfully incorporated into a contemporary dance presentation.

His latest, Dayimane!, is no different. Compelling and innovative, it focuses on Nguni cattle and its role in Nguni culture. This multi-media production forms the first of a trilogy that looks at Nguni identity and its part in the formation of the Zulu Kingdom

“Dayimane! is a Zulu word or name (amongst many) commonly given to Nguni bulls,” says Musa Hlatshwayo in his programme notes. “It literally means “diamond” and figuratively implies the value of the Nguni cow associated with the name. Nguni cows, like Nguni Kings, have izobongo or praises.” These names relate to the cow’s mannerism, its strengths, general appeal and history. Nguni herdsmen form a strong bond with their cattle, each having its own identity and needing to be handled in their individual way, just like people.

Nguni cattle – each beast a masterpiece of markings - are becoming more popular in South Africa because of their hardiness and resistance to diseases and you see these distinctively-marked animals more often when motoring through farmlands.

Abundant Herds, written by Marguerite Poland and David Hammond-Tooke, is considered a most important record of the significance of the Nguni cattle to the Zulu people now and in the past. Apart from being highly informative, it is beautifully illustrated by Leigh Voigt and well worth acquiring, particularly after seeing Dayimane!.

The work is set at a cattle dip – a location unheard-of dance-wise not so very long ago, even with contemporary dance’s capacity to break down all stereotypical barriers. The Square Space Theatre is transformed with only two sides set aside for audience. Virtually, we sit on either side of a long white river that climbs the walls at either end, creating a screen for the video footage. As the production begins, we see Nguni cattle grazing peacefully in the bush. Then comes the hiatus of the dip, the loud splashing of water, cattle sounds and the whistling and urgings of the herdsmen as they guide the animals through.

While modern methods of spraying are more economical, dipping is still considered the most effective process to rid cattle of the tick-borne diseases which will kill them. I noticed some alarmed faces on some members of the audience at what seemed a traumatic experience for the animals. In fact, they are used to it and often jump in as one would dive into a swimming pool.

While the movement of the work doesn’t represent a bunch of four-legged bovines, you do feel as if you are a part of the herd - responding to the commands of the herdsman and his clicking calls. Deserving a very special mention although no specific acknowledgement to a designer appears in the programme, the costumes are a wonderful mix of the traditional and the contemporary.

Busi Deyi appears tall, statuesque and utterly regal, in an extraordinary outfit that utterly captivated me. Defying description (see pic) the outfit is very effective as she disrobes through a number of layers until she is simply in a tight top and shorts. She is draped in an Nguni hide, renowned for its softness, complete with branding. On her arms she wears real Nguni horns like gloves and these get taken up by the other performers as the work progresses. The costumes all impress, in fact, and were created and designed by Musa Hlatshwayo.

This is a tight ensemble piece with all dancers given space to shine. Apart from Busi Deyi, there’s Mpume Ngwenya (who can also crack it on the drums), James Mbhele, Ngcebo Nzama and Musa Hlatshwayo himself. The soundtrack features music by Simphiwe Dana, Fidel Mpondo, Sibongile Khumalo and Vusi Ximba. Productions designer is Wesley Maherry.

Presented by Mhayise Productions, Dayimane! is an hour long and runs at the Square Space Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal until May 28 at 19h00 with a closing matinee on May 29 at 15h00. Tickets at the door R55 (R45 students and pensioners), bookings through Claudette Wagner on 031 260 3133 or email on wagnerc1@ukzn.ac.za For contemporary dance lovers, it’s not to be missed.

More information and pictures on Dayimane! and any of activities and past projects can be accessed via Mhayise Productions on facebook. – Caroline Smart