Preview
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO
Sunday, September 28
Jack Singer Concert Hall
Nearly every article on Ladysmith Black Mambazo (LBM) acknowledges that Paul Simon played an important role in the band's career. What is often overlooked is the fact that LBM had a large following in Africa long before Simon ever conceived of his 1986 album Graceland.
Since Joseph Shabalala founded LBM in 1965, the group has released over 30 albums – most to critical acclaim and popular success. The group reached the pinnacle of their commercial fame with the release of the Simon-produced Grammy-winning album Shaka Zulu in 1987 and have continued to attract a strong and dedicated following amongst fans of African and world music, reflecting their status as the most popular of modern isicathamiya bands.
"Isicathamiya" is a descriptive term for a capella choral music that is primarily performed by Zulu men in South Africa. At least a dozen music and dance styles, ranging from war dances to wedding music, fall under this spectrum. The Zulu root word "cathama" literally means to stalk like a cat and is an allusion to the intricate choreography asssociated with the music. The English translation of the word – to tiptoe or act carefully – refers to the musicians’ need to curb an aggressive performance style in order to avoid antagonizing the neighbours.
Various sources attribute the origin of the genre to Methodist missionaries and African-American minstrels. Still others contend that the origins of Nguni and Zulu collective-tribal music can be found even further back in history.
Regardless of its roots, the popularity of isicathamiya saw an increase after the end of the First World War and became closely linked to the Zulu working class. Further refinements occured during the 1920s and ’30s, partly as a result of economic conditions associated with a resource-based economy and apartheid. Miners were often forced to move away from their families to find employment. Life in company hostels offered few recreational activities, so workers organized weekly competitions where groups were judged on the basis of their singing and dancing skills. The classic song "Mbube," originally performed by Solomon Linda and his Evening Birds, dates from this era. Collective appearance – a throwback to the missionary choirs and minstrel shows – was also a criteria for judgement. Although the style of dance and other components evolved over time with the adoption of popular Western dances and instruments, one thing remained the same – winning the various competitions meant prestige. In a social environment tainted by apartheid, opportunities for advancement and economic success were limited. These competitions offered virtually the only chance for personal achievement and recognition.
LBM got its start by winning these competitions. In fact, the name refers to this success – Black Mambazo means "Black Axe" and alludes to chopping down the competing groups. Their greatest innovation was the modification of the dance choreography to make it softer and more reflective of the rolling lyrics. Other noteworthy changes introduced by Joseph Shabalala include the wedding of isicathamiya with upbeat instrumental mbaganga (township jive), and a greater emphasis on traditional gospel music than most South African choirs. |
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