Shadows and Light

Black Umfolosi are five talented performers from Zimbabwe – Thomeki Dube and Sotsha Moyo founder members of the group, along with John Munzabwa, Alec Ncube and Zenzo Hlaseka. They perform a style of a Capella music called ‘Imbube’ which is is traditional to the Nguni speaking people of Southern Africa. See the photo gallery of the performance here or read on for my impressions of the performance.

The exhuberant performance took place on a hot night that evoked the atmosphere of their homeland which perhaps explains how they found their incredible energy in that heat. The singing in beautiful rich harmonies – that has been described accurately as ‘both uplifting and meditative’ – tells stories of the lives of the people from Southern Africa, and as they explained, they were bringing us the thoughts of their country that was so far… yet thanks to modern technology is so near. This music was combined with clicks, slaps, stamps and high jumps and kicks and the intricately choreographed dances they have created. Their trademark gumboot dance (see the photo gallery) was of course a highlight of the evening, transporting us deep into the mines we shall never see in reality. The appreciative mood of the audience was perfectly felt when all joined into Black Umfolosi’s version of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, all arms waving high and harmonizing along with them.

You can hear a track from their CD entitled ‘Mama’ on the photo gallery of their performance that you can see here.

We felt very privileged indeed to see these wonderful performers so far from their homeland. It was an experience we shall not forget.

Ellie