It’s that time of year again when all roads
lead to Durban’s Currie’s Fountain, near Botanic Gardens on the Berea, for the
city’s eagerly anticipated traditional Ingoma dance competition, Sishaya
Ingoma, now in its 10th year. The event is presented by the Playhouse Company.
The only event of its kind in South Africa
– and presented free to the public – this exciting spectacle runs from 09h00 on
Saturday, March 21, 2020, and puts the focus on varied dance styles associated
with the Zulu culture.
Joy Mbewana, Mdu Jali and Zim Dollar will
act as master of ceremonies on the big day, when talented groups from
throughout KwaZulu-Natal will assemble to compete for trophies and prizes in a
competition that attracts countrywide public interest.
“We
are extremely pleased to once again present this colourful and vibrant,
open-air event as part of our artistic programme. Our Ingoma competition is one
of the highlights of The Playhouse Company’s calendar,” says Linda Bukhosini,
Chief Executive and Artistic Director of The Playhouse Company, an agency of
the Department of Arts and Culture, which embraces the government’s principles
of social cohesion and nation-building.
“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 form part of
KwaZulu-Natal’s rich heritage,” she adds.
“Ingoma” is an isiZulu term that literally
translates as “anthem”, albeit that these days it tends to refer to the
colourfully varied dance styles within the Zulu culture, particularly in the
competitive arena.
Dance groups entered in the 2020 competition,
all of them attired in colourful costumes, will be judged on performances in
categories that involve movements with symbolic meaning: Omama Besigekle,
Ingoma Yezinsizwa, Ushameni, Ingoma Yezintombi, Ingoma Sikhuze and Indlamu.
Each of these dance styles, often seen in
the Zulu culture as a medium through which to communicate history, is
traditionally performed by people of a particular age, gender and status. The
traditional purpose of the dances is to mark or celebrate, for example, a
particular season, or a special event such as a wedding.
Choreography and body positions are highly
specific to particular dance styles and regions – and these dance styles may
vary from region to region, even from village to village. Spectators often show
their appreciation by ululating (“ukukikizela”) and showing their backs
(“ukushikila”).
(Left: Amazebra
– Indlamu)
The six different styles of traditional
dance, in more detail, are as follows:
OMAMA BESIGEKLE
This style was created for women, ideally
married women, as an alternative to Amahubo, a dance strictly for men chanting
to ancestors. Performed at weddings, Omama Besigekle is accompanied by singing,
clapping and drumming, and dancers avoid raising their feet too high to show
respect. Dancers wear headgear (“isicholo”) and traditional skirts
(“isidwaba”). They carry small shields and knobkerries and each group has a
specific theme and costume colour scheme.
INGOMA YEZINSIZWA
Accompanied by singing, clapping and
drumbeats, this highly exciting dance form features bare feet and traditional
costumes, including a form of animal-skin apron (“ibheshu’). The dance is
commonly performed during young men’s rite of passage formalities, as well as
at weddings and other traditional ceremonies. It is most distinctive for the
dancer having to keep a leg straight while kicking it up to reach the side of
the ears. Dancers carry shields and decorated sticks.
INDLAMU
Performed with big shields and long sticks,
this is a beguiling, striking war dance that was introduced by Shaka Zulu to
psyche up his Amabutho (warriors) while they were being prepared for battle.
Resembling a military drill with strict precision, the dance style has dancers
following a specific pattern, accompanied by drums and minimal singing. A lot
of showing off is highlighted, accompanied by much loud whistling, to lend
encouragement to whoever is dancing at the time.
USHAMENI
Named after the Shameni River in Umsinga,
KwaZulu-Natal, this style was formed at a time when railways were being built.
It is a variation of Ingoma yezinsizwa, mixed with Indlamu, but with a regional
flair. Dancers bend one leg during the dance to show the ankle, and they follow
specific line formations, stretching their hands up high, while accompanied by
singers who also clap. The dancers wear pants and vests or T-shirts, as well as
traditional sandals (“udabuluzwane”).
(Amabhubesi
- Ingoma Yentombi)
INGOMA YEZINTOMBI
This colourful dance is specific to
maidens. It is linked to different rite-of-passage ceremonies for young girls –
such as when they reach puberty, undergo virginity tests or to celebrate lobola
and weddings. The dance is accompanied by drumming, clapping and singing, and
the music is highly energetic. The dancers’ costumes are traditional skirts
made from colourful beads. A requirement of the dance is that legs have to be
raised high.
INGOMA SIKHUZE
This dance, another variation of Ingoma
yezinsizwa, originated in the Umbumbulu region, becoming popular after the
arrival of the missionaries. A pattern formation, known as “isifuba”, performed
by more experienced dancers, is at the centre of this dance style. It is
supported by “isipani”, referring to dancers that shadow whatever is done by
“isifuba:. The typical costume consists of thigh-length socks with stripes and
short skirts (sometimes rugby shorts). The leg is not raised very high in this
dance, for which dancers carry shields and traditional sticks which are also
used to create formations. Accompaniment is via song and hand-clapping
(“ukukhwahla”:).
For further information about Sishaya
Ingoma contact Khulekani Kunene on 031 369 9440 or visit www.playhousecompany.com
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