Last night I saw a wonderful performance by Mtuba Thulisa Brothers, an Isicathamiya group - this is the style of Zulu music and dance developed by migrant mine workers and made famous by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. It's extremely impressive and very moving done live - impeccably choreographed, and the harmonies are stunning.
There was also an Oswenka competition - this too is a tradition developed by mine workers for their Saturday night self-entertainment - they often couldn't afford or weren't allowed to go off the compound: between Isicathamiya performances individuals put on their best suits and "swanked", with audience reaction being taken into consideration by a judge when awarding the prizes. The swankers pose, take off their jackets to show off their shirts, lift their trouser legs to display matching socks, etc. - all done with much irony - to a storm of hoots, whistles and applause from the audience. Great fun.
1 comment:
Did you receive explicit permission from the gentlemen in the photos for using their photos. Did you make them aware that their photos will be used in this medium??
Post a Comment