IN PICTURES: Isicathamiya choirs find their voice in Durban

The Isicathamiya Festival took place in Durban last weekend. Photographers Marco Longari and Rajesh Jantilal documented the festival.

One of the Isicathamiya groups performs a traditional song and dance on stage. (Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)

At an isicathamiya (Zulu a cappella) singing competition, every detail counts: the accuracy of the harmonies, the choreography, the costumes, the entrance on stage and the exit.

Developed shortly after World War I by the Zulu community, the musical genre has distant origins in local music, Christian choirs and ‘minstrel shows’, which were popular in the United States in the mid-19th century.

Isicathamiya grew out of competitions organised by Zulus working in the mines and major cities, who would gather from Saturday evenings until dawn on Sundays to sing their songs and share their culture.