Zulu dance - South Africa #1

Zulu is a tribe of native Africans in South Africa, one of the largest ethnic groups in that country. Their traditional dances celebrate weddings,... more

by Gloria Ssali

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Zulu dance - South Africa #1

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Gloria Ssali

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Zulu is a tribe of native Africans in South Africa, one of the largest ethnic groups in that country. Their traditional dances celebrate weddings, the inauguration of a new king, the choosing of a bride, and other important community events. As in most cultures, these dances serve the purposes of rite of passage or bonding, or matchmaking in a supervised environment. Typical Zulu dance involves high-stepping and stamping the ground in rhythm, with all the dancers in unison and arranged in a line. Arms are raised high, often bearing decorated weapons and shields. Sometimes the dance is subdued and nearly a shuffle, other times, when the occasion calls for it, the dancers can kick well over their heads then fall to the ground in a crouch. Then they leap up to dance again with high kicks.
The Zulu Reed Dance is an occasion for young maidens to make themselves noticed by a king looking for a wife. Girls fetch reeds from the river and take them to the king, whereupon he picks a wife from among them.
Some other types are:
"Ingoma (isizingili)" performed by boys and girls accompanied only by a chant and no drums. The girls are bare-chested, and they wear seed pod rattles around their ankles to enhance their high kicks.
"Ingoma (ishishameni)" where the boys and girls dance separately. One group claps while the other is dancing.
"Indlamu" This is the dance most associated with Zulu culture, derived from war dances. It is a men's dance and is performed in full tribal regalia: headrings, ceremonial belts, ankle rattles, shields and weapons. In it the dancers engage in mock combat, showing off their strength and mastery of weapons.
"Imvunulo" A solo dance to show off traditional attire, where the dancer signifies by what she wears her marital status or desire to become pregnant.

"Isicathamiya" Performed by men and boys in a line or arc, this dance is accompanied by a balladic singer.

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February 5th, 2012

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