Human Rights day celebrated in dance
The competition celebrates our wonderful various traditional art forms.
TRADITIONAL dance groups celebrated Human Rights day in style on Thursday, at the Playhouse Sishaya Ingoma competition held at Curries Fountain. The competition saw various traditional dance groups from all over the province competing against each other for bragging rights.
The term, ‘ingoma’ literally translates as an “anthem” in the isiZulu language, however nowadays it tends to refer to the many and varied dance styles that exist within the Zulu culture, particularly in the competitive arena. Groups who enter the competition are judged on their performances in seven dance style categories: oMama Besigekle, uShameni, Ingoma Yezinsizwa, Ingoma Yezintombi, Ingoma Sekhuze, Indlamu and uMzansi.
The Playhouse Company’s CEO and Artistic Director, Ms Linda Bukhosini said: “The Playhouse Company’s mandate is to produce equitable programmes of live theatre productions in the fields of music, drama and dance which are representative of all our diverse cultural groups that comprise the population of KwaZulu-Natal. We are proud that as an institution we have been able to cement our reputation in producing a competition of this magnitude which upholds and celebrates our wonderful various traditional art forms.”
Traditionally, each particular dance is performed by specific people of a particular age, gender and status and at a particular time or period such as a season or a month of an event such as a wedding. Body position and movements are highly specific to the particular dance style and region. In fact, even with a region such as KwaZulu-Natal, dance styles may vary from village to village. Dance among Zulu people is said to operate similarly to language and a medium through which to communicate history.The winning groups included: Asakhe, Isibani Productions, Ofeleba, Indlondlo Emnyama, Ikusasa Elihle, Amashiyakukhalwa Entertainers and Ingqayizivale.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
