Playhouse presents traditional dance competition
The competition has drawn thousands of music and dance enthusiasts from all corners of South Africa annually over the past five years.
FOR the fifth year running, The Playhouse Company is proud to once again present its annual Ingoma Competition. The competition will be held from 9am on Saturday, 19 March at the SJ Smith Stadium (eWema) in Lamontville and admission is free.
Groups from around KwaZulu-Natal will compete in various categories for prizes and trophies and, of course, the prestige of winning this competition.
“We are thrilled to present this colourful and vibrant open-air event as part of our 2016 programme.
“This competition is one of the highlights on The Playhouse Company’s calendar, and has drawn thousands of music and dance enthusiasts from all corners of South Africa annually over the past five years,” said Linda Bukhosini, The Playhouse Company’s CEO and Artistic Director.
“As part of our endeavours to promote and preserve traditional art-forms, The Playhouse Company is once again reaching out to those whose culture embraces traditional dance styles that are part of KwaZulu-Natal’s rich heritage,” she said.
In isiZulu, the word “ingoma” literally translates as “anthem’’, but nowadays tends to refer to the many and varied dance styles that exist within Zulu culture, particularly in the competitive arena.
Groups who enter the competition will be judged on their performances in the dance style categories; Ingoma, Isgekle, Ushameni, Ingoma Yezintombi, Ingoma Sikhuze and Indlamu, all of which involve movements with symbolic meaning.
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 or an event such as a wedding.
The MCs for the event will be Zimiphi ‘Zim Dollar’ Biyela and Mdu Jali.
