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ZULU DANCE COMPETITION TO SHOWCASE LOCAL CULTURE

A kaleidoscope of local culture, showcasing the incredible talent of Zulu dancers throughout the district, is set to take place on Saturday, 4 November 2006 at the Central Sports Complex in Richards Bay between 9am and 5pm.

Zululand is rapidly becoming renowned for its cultural tourism attractions and one of the most spectacular attributes of the Zulu nation is its dance heritage. Dancing is rich in symbolism and tradition and has been passed on from generation to generation. The songs and dance forms of the Zulu nation are being recognised the world over.

The Annual Regional Cultural Zulu Dance competition is a highlight of the uThungulu District Municipality’s events calendar and sees groups representing all six of the local municipalities in the district competing in various categories for top honours. This is the final round of the competition and tension is high between the competing teams.

The participating municipalities are Mbonambi, uMhlathuze, Ntambanana, uMlalazi, Mthonjaneni and Nkandla.

Entrance is free and the event is open to the public.

The categories of the competition are:

a) Ingoma (isizingili)

A traditional dance performed by boys and girls (often together) without drums and accompanied by a chant. The girls wear woollen skirts and are usually bare-breasted. They also wear rattles made of seedpods around the ankles to accent the high kicks.

The Ingoma is one of the purist remnants of Zulu tradition. Boys and girls perform the dance for transition ceremonies such as coming of age and weddings. For the youth it instills the transition of sharing experiences and building solidarity through communal dance.

b) Ingoma (isishameni)

Harmonising with clapping girls and boys together but dancing separately. The boys clap whilst the girls dance and vice versa.

c) Indlamu

This is the traditional dance most commonly associated with the Zulu culture. It is performed with drums and full traditional attire of skins and shields and is derived from the war dances of the warriors of yesteryear.

This war dance is untouched by Western Influence probably because it is regarded as a touchstone of Zulu identity. Full regimental attire, precise timing and uncompromised posture are required. It is danced by men of any age wearing skin (amabeshu), headrings, ceremonial belts, ankle rattles, shields and weapons like knobkerries and spears. Girls are also now starting to participate in this dance. Various drums and whistles accompany the dance.

d) Imvunulo (traditional attire)

This requires one participant and is more of a parade to show off the traditional attire of the Zulu nation.

Dress is determined by age, rank and gender. Young ones do not cover their thighs, but adults should. Men wear amabeshu and women wear leather skirts and beaded aprons. Girls beadwork girdles are called isigege and should not contain red beads as these are reserved for married women.

e) Isicathamiya

This is performed only by boys or men standing in a straight line or in an arc. The music is sung in harmony and the group makes up new lyrics, often pertaining to modern issues such as aids and crime. A lead singer will sing the counterpoint or rhythm. The music form symbolises life in rural Zululand and the townships.

This competition was started nine years ago with the following goals:

· To instil a sense of pride amongst the younger generation with regard to their culture and heritage

· To preserve the Zulu traditional art forms of music, dress and dance

· To create a tourism market for Zulu culture within the district targeting both domestic and international markets

· To assist the unemployed with a skill; this will enable them to perform when an opportunity arises.

For further information contact:

Uthungulu District Municipality

Tourism Section

Tel: 035-799 2500

Fax: 035-789 8176

Email: anushka@uthungulu.co.za

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