AmaXhosa are the second biggest tribe in South Africa, and music plays a vital role in their everyday life. For them, music is an effective medium for cultural expression, communication, and communal celebration. Every occasion or social gathering is accompanied by singing. Their anger or pain, grief or joy is reflected in their singing. African societies in general, have always used traditional music and dance to celebrate life’s milestones, especially during communal ceremonies. Using direct observation, video recordings, and a descriptive qualitative research approach, this paper explores the functional role of traditional songs used by the AmaXhosa during the ‘umgidi celebration. It reveals that traditional ‘umgidi’ songs offer a secure space for this group of people to express themselves. They also strengthen social bonds and promote harmony and unity in the community. Despite being vital parts of various aspects of AmaXhosa cultural life, songs and dance have received limited scholarly attention. This ethnographic study, therefore, provides commentary on the functional role of traditional isiXhosa songs during the ‘umgidi’ celebration and offers reflections on the functionality of traditional music in contemporary isiXhosa culture.

Authors:
Thenji Ntwana, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Thenji Ntwana is a lecturer in African Lang Studies at the University of the W Cape. Her research interests include creative writing, translation, and onomastics. She is an author recognized for her award-winning contributions to literary fiction

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/thenjiswantwana/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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