Ndebeles
Szavanna September 25th, 2008
Ever thought of building yourself a Ndebele house? … or at least a small 3D version of it and decorate it with ndebele patterns? That is what I am busy with and while I am browsing Flickr I thought I share Ron’s Ndebele album - click to see his photos. I
and here is music while you browse through the photos ( wow and what a great Utube find 
:
Nothembi Mkwebane-Isikhonyane
Peki Emelia Nothembi Mkhwebane was born in Carolina near Swaziland in Mpumalanga on 1st January 1953. She grew up loving music especially Ndebele music.
Her Parents died while she was five years old and left with her grand parents. Nothembi didn’t not go to school because her grand parents could not afford school fees, therefor during the day she would look after her grand father’s cattle and sheep.
Nothembi was born in a family of music her grand mother taught her to play a reed flute, her sister taught her to play isikumero. Later, her uncle took her to the fields to help with ploughing and during lunch time her Uncle will teach her to play guitar that was made out of an oil tin.
Nothembi learned a lot about the Ndebele culture. She started a musical group called Izelamani zakoNomazlyana. They played at cultural gatherings and weddings.
She bought a keyboard and guitar to compose songs, and then she recorded all the songs she has composed. The problem was finding a record company because she didn’t know where to start and when she found it she couldn’t read or write and for her signature she signed with an “x” and because of her illiteracy she was robed of her money by record company, that is no longer a problem she is back at school she is in std 9 and she would like to get a degree in music.Nothembi is well known all over the world in 1988 she performed in New York and London and received an award for the Best Ndebele Song. ( from here)
video link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMQ0D6ZPbBs
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- Comments(4)
Hi:
That was very informative:) Thank you.It has given me an essence of how many varied cultures there are and how much we can learn from each of them. Thank you for posting thisit will be very useful to those who have a passion to know other cultures.
I love the ndebele colours and patterns. Im really wouldn’t mind a house like that!
Po’s last blog post..Phone update.
Beautifull.
I have immigrated out of SA.It is a pleasue to hear the songs of my homeland sung so well.
Thanks Rana - I am happy you enjoyed it