For the fifth year
running, The Playhouse Company is proud to once again present its annual Ingoma
Competition on March 19 at the SJ Smith Stadium (eWema) in Lamontville.
Admission is free.
Groups from around
KwaZulu-Natal will compete in various categories for prizes and trophies and,
of course, the prestige of winning this important Competition.
“We are thrilled to
present this colourful and vibrant open-air event as part of our 2016
programme. This competition is one of the highlights on The Playhouse Company’s
calendar, and has drawn thousands of music and dance enthusiasts from all
corners of South Africa annually over the past five years,” said Linda
Bukhosini, The Playhouse Company’s CEO and Artistic Director.
“As part of our
endeavours to promote and preserve traditional art-forms, The Playhouse Company
is once again reaching out to those whose culture embraces traditional dance
styles that are part of KwaZulu-Natal’s rich heritage,” she concluded.
In isiZulu, the
word “ingoma” literally translates as “anthem’’, but nowadays tends to refer to
the many and varied dance styles that exist within Zulu culture, particularly
in the competitive arena. Groups who enter the Competition will be judged on
their performances in the following dance style categories: Ingoma; Isgekle;
Ushameni; Ingoma Yezintombi; Ingoma Sikhuze and Indlamu, all of which involve
movements with symbolic meaning.
Traditionally, each
particular dance is performed by specific people of a particular age, gender
and status, and at a particular time or period such as a season or a month or
an event such as a wedding. Body position and movements are highly specific to
the particular dance style and region.
Even within a
region such as KZN, dance styles may vary from village to village. Dance among
Zulu people is said to operate similarly to language and as a medium through
which to communicate history. Spectators often show their appreciation by
ululating (ukukikizela) and showing their backs (ukushikila).
Probably the
best-known Zulu dance style, Indlamu is said to imitate the surging ocean or
boiling water, and involves lively foot-stamping with sharp, angular and
highly-energetic movements performed mostly by younger dancers in teams. The
dance is accompanied by drums and whistles, and sometimes bells, shakers and
wind instruments. As some forms of Indlamu make use of shields and sticks,
these forms are referred to as war dances, with the focus and direction of the
dancers suggesting advance and retreat.
The MCs for the
event will be Zimiphi ‘Zim Dollar’ Biyela and Mdu Jali.
The Ingoma
Competition will take place on March 19 from 09h00 at SJ Smith Stadium (eWema)
in Lamontville. Admission is free.
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