Singing Songs Zulu Style!!

The Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a South African male choir that has touched audience around the world with their harmonious vocal arrangements. Their philosophy in music making is preservation; the preservation of their music’s heritage.  The group sings in Isicathamiya, a traditional style of singing that originated from the Zulu mines of South Africa. They have won a total of three Grammy awards and have been nominated fifteen times. The group gained popularity when Paul Simon, an American musician and songwriter, recruited Ladysmith Black Mambazo to sing in his album “Graceland.” They have also produced soundtracks for films such as: Disney’s Lion King 2, Eddie Murphy’s Coming to America, and James Earl Jone’s Cry the Beloved Country.

 The Ladysmith Black Mambazo was put together in the 1960s by a man named Joseph Shabalala. Joseph is a factory worker who was born in a town called Ladysmith; which is in the east of Johannesburg and west of Duran. He formed the group because of a dream about voices in perfect harmony that has been reoccurring for six months. The word ‘Black’ in their group name is a reference to a tough farm animal known as the oxen. While, the Zulu word ‘Mambazo’, in English translation, means a chopping axe. The word mambazo was chosen to symbolize the capability of the group to “chop down” their rivals; which is exactly what they did. By the end of the 1960s, the group did so good that, although they could perform, they were not allowed to participate in the competitions.

During apartheid the group did great in preserving and spreading the beauty of traditional Zulu music. Therefore, when apartheid was over and Nelson Mandela was released from prison, he awarded the members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo with the title “South Africa’s cultural ambassador.” The group has overcome the setbacks caused by apartheid, and has let the world see the beauty of South African traditions in a form of songs. Joseph has also started The Ladysmith Black Mambazo Foundation to teach Zulu children about their ancestor’s culture and music style. Aside from the foundation, Joseph is also building rehearsal halls, recording studios and many more, just to spread and teach the Zulu people’s traditional music genre, Isicathamiya.

I personally enjoy their songs. Their songs are in a different language yet I feel like I understand what they are saying. They prove to me that Music is, indeed, a universal language. When I close my eyes and listen to their voices I see an open field with a few Acacia Trees, and a heartwarming blend of golden orange, salmon, and light yellow in the background. It’s the kind of sound that is found in touching, joyful moments of movies. My personal favorites are Homeless, No More Sorrow, Amen and Shosholoza.  I also like their cover of the songs: The lion sleeps tonight, and Amazing grace.  I recommend listening to their recent album, released in 2012, African Sun. This album includes eight soundtracks, including one of my favorites. Also for further information on their tours, awards, and albums visit their official website.  

                                              by: Joan D.

Shosholoza Audio/video:

official website:http://www.mambazo.com

bibliography:
"Ladysmith Black Mambazo." Mambazo.com. HostBaby, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. <http://www.mambazo.com/our_story/>."Joseph Shabalala." International Opus.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. <http://www.internationalopus.com/cgi-bin/io.pl?mode=composer>.