Celebrating the people and cultures of southern Africa

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Pata Pata

Pata Pata

Our marimba band had the honour of playing at a silver jubilee this week. It’s always a pleasure bringing the sounds of southern Africa to audiences in the UK.

Music, PerformancesOtto Gumaelius10 July 2024Miriam Makeba, Marimba, Pata PataComment

Chamakanda - African Tale from Zimbabwe

Chamakanda - African Tale from Zimbabwe

It is National Storytelling Week in the UK and we thought we would share a little African tale from Zimbabwe called Chamakanda.

Storytelling, Zimbabwe, MusicOtto Gumaelius1 February 2022Chamakanda, African Storytelling, MbiraComment

The Traditional Mbira of the Shona People of Zimbabwe

The Traditional Mbira of the Shona People of Zimbabwe

The mbira is an instrument of deep spiritual significance to the Shona people of Zimbabwe. It is played by plucking metal keys fixed to a wooden soundboard.

Music, HistoryOtto Gumaelius22 May 2020mbira, mbira dzavadzimu, nhare, matepe, njari, zimbabwe, shona, nyunga nyunga, kalimbaComment

Rest in Peace Oliver Mtukudzi - An Obituary

Rest in Peace Oliver Mtukudzi - An Obituary

It is with immense sadness that we learn of Dr Oliver Mtukudzi's passing earlier on this afternoon, January 23rd, in Harare, Zimbabwe.

People, MusicOtto Gumaelius23 January 2019Oliver Mtukudzi, Zimbabwe, TukuComment

Remembering Miriam Makeba

Remembering Miriam Makeba

Today marks 10 years since Miriam Makeba’s untimely passing. She was a phenomenal South African singer, songwriter, actress, United Nations goodwill ambassador and civil-rights activist.

People, MusicOtto Gumaelius9 November 2018Miriam Makeba, Mama Africa, South Africa, Cuban Brothers, Manhattan Brothers, Skylarks, Come Back Africa, King Kong, Harry Belafonte, Pata Pata, The Click Song, Soweto BluesComment

Rest In Peace Hip Hop Pantsula

Rest In Peace Hip Hop Pantsula

Jabulani Tsambo, better known by his stage name Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP), was a South African Motswako rapper who performed in several languages, mostly in Setswana.

People, MusicOtto Gumaelius24 October 2018Hip Hop Pantsula, HHP, Jabba, Motswako, Mafikeng, Setswana, Jabulani Tsambo

Umrhubhe

Umrhubhe

Introducing Umrhubhe, a traditional mouth bow played by the Xhosa people of the eastern cape of South Africa.

Culture, MusicOtto Gumaelius11 November 2017Umrhubhe, Madosini Manqina, Xhosa, South Africa, Eastern CapeComment

Katara Music Of Botswana

Katara Music Of Botswana

In Botswana, a number of instruments have been adopted and adapted to folk music in recent times, including the four string guitar, locally called Katara.

MusicOtto Gumaelius10 October 2017Katara, Botswana, Ronnie MoipolaiComment

Ambuya Beauler Dyoko

Ambuya Beauler Dyoko

The late Beauler Dyoko is credited as being the first female mbira recording artist in Zimbabwe.

Music, PeopleOtto Gumaelius9 September 2017Mbira, Beauler Dyoko, Zimbabwe, Shona, HarareComment