Xhosa funk is getting a novel spin by indigenous bow player Mthwakazi. Using music written by Luyolo Lenga, she is exploring what she’s dubbed Xho-pera.
They say their bow music “seeks to awaken the forgotten times of great healing. The music represents unity between Africans, elders and the youth, different genders and different races; as everyone who listens to the music feels a sense of ownership and belonging to the music and message.”
Mthwakazi and her partner, acoustic guitarist and songwriter, Lenga, hope to charm with their vibrant and unique performances that combine the old with the new, “the magical with the real”.
The music draws on African dance rhythms
Mthwakazi comes from the Eastern Cape. She is an opera singer, songwriter and performer. uMthwakazi has pioneered this Xho-pera, which essentially synthesises indigenous African bow music with classical music, opera and choral sounds. Her repertoire is mainly derived from Xhosa bow music and draws on African dance rhythms.
She says the songs are sung by a “dynamic, angelic and operatic (dramatic soprano) voice, and carry a message which emphasizes optimism, progress, and advocates for ubuntu (humanity) as a way of living.”
“The music deeply explores our cultural heritage as Africans and powerfully promotes the use of the Xhosa language,” she adds.
WS
