Mbube (genre)
Encyclopedia
Mbube is a form of South African vocal music, made famous by the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo
. The word mbube means "lion" in Zulu. Traditionally performed a cappella, the members of the group are male although a few groups have a female singer. The use of male voices singing acapella allows for the creation of intricate harmonies and vocal textures.
, a boy from Natal
, created one of the most famous African songs, Mbube, which eventually became its own genre. In 1933 Linda began singing with a group of friends called the Evening Birds. In 1939 they recorded a few tracks for Gallo Records when Linda improvised the first 15 notes of a song they called “Mbube.” The success of this song led to the conception of a whole new genre, characterized by a loud and powerful cappella four part harmony, accompanied by dancing. The song was later made internationally famous, by The Weavers
as "Wimoweh" in 1948 and then as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by the Tokens
in 1961. Miriam Makeba
's recording of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in the 1960's helped popularize the genre and establish the singing tradition.
Associated with poor migrant workers, the origins of Mbube can be traced back to the 1920s in the Natal region when the area became heavily industrialized with coalmines and factories. According to Joseph Shabalala (leader and founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo), young South African Zulu men from nearby towns and villages began to flock to this area to find work, often in mines. These men brought with them their own cultures and in order to preserve a sense of community formed choirs. These male workers were often lodging in hostels where they created a weekend social life that revolved around singing and dancing. There were competitions where the best groups would showcase their talents and a winner would be awarded not with money, but honor. As these competitions became more popular so did this new style of music. It spread to Johannesburg, one of the largest South African cities. Mbube is a precursor to the more currently popular African choral genres mbaqanga
and iscathamiya. Since the formation of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the mbube has fallen out of style in favor of isicathamiya, which is a softer, lighter genre.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
. The word mbube means "lion" in Zulu. Traditionally performed a cappella, the members of the group are male although a few groups have a female singer. The use of male voices singing acapella allows for the creation of intricate harmonies and vocal textures.
Background
In Johannesburg, Solomon LindaSolomon Linda
Solomon Popoli Linda , also known as Solomon Ntsele , was a South African Zulu musician, singer and composer who wrote the song "Mbube" which later became the popular music success "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", and gave its name to the Mbube style of isicathamiya a cappella popularized later by...
, a boy from Natal
Natal
Natal as an adjective refers to birth. As a proper noun, Natal may refer to:-Places:As a place name, Natal usually relates to the Portuguese word for Christmas. For example, Vasco da Gama named the South African region of Natal after passing there on Christmas Day 1497, and the village that became...
, created one of the most famous African songs, Mbube, which eventually became its own genre. In 1933 Linda began singing with a group of friends called the Evening Birds. In 1939 they recorded a few tracks for Gallo Records when Linda improvised the first 15 notes of a song they called “Mbube.” The success of this song led to the conception of a whole new genre, characterized by a loud and powerful cappella four part harmony, accompanied by dancing. The song was later made internationally famous, by The Weavers
The Weavers
The Weavers were an American folk music quartet based in the Greenwich Village area of New York City. They sang traditional folk songs from around the world, as well as blues, gospel music, children's songs, labor songs, and American ballads, and selling millions of records at the height of their...
as "Wimoweh" in 1948 and then as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by the Tokens
The Tokens
The Tokens are an American male doo-wop-style vocal group from Brooklyn, New York. They are known best for their chart-scoring 1961 single, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" .-Career:...
in 1961. Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba , nicknamed Mama Africa, was a Grammy Award winning South African singer and civil rights activist....
's recording of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in the 1960's helped popularize the genre and establish the singing tradition.
Associated with poor migrant workers, the origins of Mbube can be traced back to the 1920s in the Natal region when the area became heavily industrialized with coalmines and factories. According to Joseph Shabalala (leader and founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo), young South African Zulu men from nearby towns and villages began to flock to this area to find work, often in mines. These men brought with them their own cultures and in order to preserve a sense of community formed choirs. These male workers were often lodging in hostels where they created a weekend social life that revolved around singing and dancing. There were competitions where the best groups would showcase their talents and a winner would be awarded not with money, but honor. As these competitions became more popular so did this new style of music. It spread to Johannesburg, one of the largest South African cities. Mbube is a precursor to the more currently popular African choral genres mbaqanga
Mbaqanga
Mbaqanga is a style of South African music with rural Zulu roots that continues to influence musicians worldwide today. The style originated in the early 1960s.-History:...
and iscathamiya. Since the formation of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the mbube has fallen out of style in favor of isicathamiya, which is a softer, lighter genre.
Sources
- Mbube Roots, Rounder Records #5025
- AMARYONI Artist Biography African Cream Music, Johannesburg, South Africa. Accessed November 14, 2008
- Broughton, Simon, and Kim Burton. World Music: the Rough Guide. London: Rough Guides, 1994. Print
- Malan, Rian. "In the Jungle." Rolling Stone. 25 May 2000. Web. “Africa.” Def. 5. Southern Africa. Credo Reference. Harvard Dictionary of Music, 2003. Web. 31 Mar. 2011.
- Johnson, Keith. “Mbube.” All Music. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2011.
- Wassel, Deborah. “From Mbube to Wimoweh: African Folk Music in Dual Systems of Law.” Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal XX.1 (2009): 290-326. Fordham Law Blog. Web. 31 Mar. 2011.
Further reading
- Erlmann, Veit, "'Horses in the Race Course': The Domestication of Ingoma Dancing in South Africa, 1929-39", Popular Music, Vol. 8, No. 3, African Music (Oct., 1989), pp. 259-273. Cambridge University Press. Nightsong: Power, Performance, and Practice in South Africa. University of Chicago Press (1995) http://books.google.com/books?id=FcNIuMDsEV8C&printsec=frontcover.
- Frith, Simon, Popular music: critical concepts in media and cultural studies, Volume 4, London : Routledge, 2004. ISBN 978-0-415-33270-5. Cf. p.271
- Xulu, M.K., "The Re-emergence of Amahubo Songs, Styles and Ideas in Modern Zulu Musical Styles." PhD dissertation, University of NatalUniversity of NatalThe University of Natal was a university in Natal, and later KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, that is now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College in Pietermaritzburg, and expanded to include a campus in Durban in 1931. In 1947, the university...
. 1992