Isicathamiya

Amaryoni is probably the most influential Mbube group nowadays in South Africa. Again, they sing Isicathamiya. You might remember that theirs was my favorite cover of The Lion Sleeps Tonight:

What makes their music sound so different from Joseph Shabalala’s is that they mix isicathamiya sounds with Gospel and township styles.

Township music? But what does that mean?

Well, in fact, speaking of Township Music is speaking of several different musical styles. All of these originated during the Apartheid era in the black townships of South Africa, generally as a way to protest against racial segregation. Of course, these musical movements had to face repression by the State before the 1990s. Township music includes Marabi, Mbaqanga, Kwela, etc. And of course, the most important township for these styles was Soweto.

Isicathamiya competitions still take place in Johannesburg and Durban. Watch this illustrating video here:

Besides Amaryoni and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, there are some other South African singers of Isicathamiya you will hear about. The Mahotella Queens (by whom I also posted a Mbube cover) sometimes sing Isicathamiya. The following video is not the best ever (there is a 3-minute-long introduction before the singing) but it is the only one I could find:

The music by the Mahotella Queens, however, usually involves a background guitar. This style is part of the Township music and it’s called Mbaqanga. More about Mbaqanga soon.

As you can see, I couldn’t post proper musical videos of Isicathamiya (other than those of Ladysmith Black Mambazo), because they’re simply hard to find. If you live in the USA, you’ll be able to listen to more music by Amaryoni on Napster and similar websites (lucky you!). But in any case, the best way to experience Isicathamiya, in my opinion, would be to attend one of those traditional music competitions. That’s all on isicathamiya.

Enjoy. Comment. Be Happy :-).

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

If you read my post on South African Zulu music, you might remember that Isicathamiya is a musical style, originally from the mines, that consists of a cappella male voices singing smoothly and accompanied by tip-toe dancing.

This style was in fact introduced by Ladysmith Black Mambazo themselves, as they softened down the loud voices of Mbube music.

1.The name:

Ladysmith is a town in the Zwazulu-Natal region. The members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo where from here. Mambazo means an axe, because of how powerful their vocals are. When Ladysmith Black Mambazo used to participate in local singing competitions, they would always (but ALWAYS) win. Eventually, they were not allowed to take part in the competition anymore, in order to allow other groups to have a chance, too.

2.The members:

Ladysmith Black Mambazo was founded by its lead singer Joseph Shabalala. He recruited his brothers, cousins and friends for the project and they’re still touring the world to this day. Joseph Shabalala himself writes their songs, and he’s always said that they come to him in his dreams.

3.The music:

3.a) Graceland

Paul Simon was Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s trampoline to the World, since he collaborated with them in his album Graceland. I posted a video from Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes from this album, but here’s the original album version:

The next song is closer to Isicathamiya than the rest of the album (and was co-written by Paul Simon and Joseph Shabalala):

3.b) Hits

After their popularity spread all around the World thanks to Graceland‘s success, Ladysmith Black Mambazo released a new Album called Shaka Zulu, which included covers of their former greatest hits. Shaka, by the way, was the name of the most merciless and blood-thirsty leader and warrior of the Zulu (fierce in the battle and as smart as Napoleon, in many ways).

Isn’t it amazing how these men’s voice can create a surrounding effect and such a captivating atmosphere?

3.c) Christianity

Joseph Shabalala converted to Christianity in the 70s and the group released its first religious album around 1975. Ever since that year, Christian faith has been present in their lyrics.

3.d) Heinz

No, it’s not a joke. A series of Heinz advertisements in the UK featured this song by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, sending them up the charts:

4. Brief Bio.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo was created in the sixties. After the success of Graceland, they began touring in Germany, where they became increasingly popular, and finally they started touring elsewhere too. During the last decades, they have become defenders of South African culture and Zulu music, which their foundation teaches to Zulu children.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo opened the gate for other South African musicians (at a time of global boycott on South Africa because of Apartheid), but Ladysmith Black Mambazo also felt the consequences of racism: shortly after the abolishing of Apartheid (1991), one of Joseph Shabalala’s brothers was the victim of a racial murder.

Nelson Mandela considered Ladysmith Black Mambazo of great help in the conservation and teaching of South African culture, and he brought them to some ceremonies with him.

One final video where you can see their tip-toe dancing: