UMASKANDI IZIBONGO: SEMANTIC, PROSODIC AND MUSICAL DIMENSIONS OF VOICE IN ZULU POPULAR PRAISES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21504/amj.v10i2.2036Keywords:
Umaskandi izibongo, Zulu praises, umaskandi musicAbstract
Umaskandi izibongo are Zulu popular praises characterized by rapid, tonally nuanced phrases of incisive social comment set to instrumental music. They articulate the experiences, genealogy and heritage of their orators, and are replete with idioms and lyrical encodings intelligible only to those familiar with the contexts, symbols and sounds specific to umaskandi life worlds. Izibongo have been combined with features of Zulu style and idiom to create a hybrid, indigenous genre of popular music. Umaskandi orators articulate shared experiences of poverty, inequality, migrancy and dispossession in South Africa, and often use martial, caustic imagery to evince their social critique. A genealogy of izibongo is offered linking umaskandi to other popular praises, to genres of dance and bow music, and to izibongo zamakhosi, or the praises of kings. From research based on fieldwork in KwaZulu- Natal conducted between 2012 and 2015, the close analysis, transcription and translation of songs by umaskandi artists Phuzekhemisi, Mfaz' Omnyama and Jonathan Mathenjwa offers insight into the style and structure of izibongo. The semantic, prosodic and musical dimensions of voice are explored through graphic representation and analysis in 'Praat'. The analyses demonstrate the complex interplay of speech tone, intonation, rhythm and rate, and how these prosodic features articulate and complicate umaskandi texts. The emphasis on voice complements a literature that has to date focused on its instrumental accompaniment on guitar. The use of digital methods of analysis and transcription offers an alternative to staff notation as a toolset for theorizing African music.
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Clarke, Eric and Nicholas Cook, eds. 2004. Empirical Musicology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Cooper, David and Ian Sapiro. 2006 "Ethnomusicology in the Laboratory: From the Tonometer to the Digital Melograph”. Ethnomusicology Forum 15(2): 301—313.
Clegg, Jonathan. 1981 "The Music of Zulu Immigrant Workers in Johannesburg: A Focus on Concertina and Guitar.” In Papers Presented at the Symposium on Ethnomusicology, Andrew Tracey, ed. 2—9. Grahamstown, South Africa: International Library of African Music.
Collins, Tom. 2006 "Constructing Maskanda.” South African Music Studies 26/27: 1—26.
Coplan, David. 2001 "Sounds of the 'Third Way': Identity and the African Renaissance in Contemporary South African Popular Traditional Music.” Black Music Research Journal 21(1): 107—124.
Coplan, David. 2007. In Township Tonight! South Africa's Black City Music and Theatre. 2nd Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
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Davies, Nollene. 1994 "The guitar in Zulu 'maskanda' tradition.” The World of Music 36(2): 118—137.
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Dubow, Saul. 2012. Apartheid. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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Hamm, Charles. 1991 "'The Constant Companion of Man': Separate Development, Radio Bantu and Music.” Popular Music 10(2): 147—173.
Hansen, Deidre. 1981 "The Music of the Xhosa-Speaking Peoples.” PhD. Dissertation: University of the Witwatersrand.
Johnston, Thomas F. 1973 "Speech-tone and other forces in Tsonga music.” Studies in African Linguistics 4: 49—70.
Joseph, Rosemary. 1987 "Zulu Women's Bow Songs: Ruminations on Love.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 50(1): 90—119.
Krige, Eileen Jensen. 1950. The Social System of the Zulus. Pietermaritzburg: Shuter & Shooter.
Meintjes, Louise. 2003. Sound of Africa! Making Music Zulu in a South African Studio. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press.
Meyer, Leonard. 1956. Emotion and Meaning in Music. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Muller, Carol. 2004. Focus: Music of South Africa. 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge.
Nketia, J.H. Kwabena. 2002 "Musicology and Linguistics: Integrating the Phraseology of Text and Tune in the Creative Process.” Black Music Research Journal 22(2): 143—164.
Ntuli, D.B. 1990 "Remarks on maskandi poetry.” South African Journal of African Languages. 10(4): 302—306.
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Olsen, Kathryn. 2009 "Musical characterizations of transformation: an exploration of social and political trajectories in contemporary maskanda.” Unpublished doctoral dissertation: University of KwaZulu-Natal.
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Rycroft, David. 1962 "Zulu and Xhosa Praise-Poetry and Song.” African Music 3(1): 79—85. Available: https://doi.org/10.21504/amj.v3i1.739.
Rycroft, David. 1963 "Tone in Zulu nouns.” African Language Studies IV: 43—68.
Rycroft, David. 1975 "A Royal Account of Music in Zulu Life with Translation, Annotation, and Musical Transcription.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 38 (2): 351—402.
Rycroft, David. 1977 "Evidence of stylistic continuity in Zulu 'town' music.” In Essays for a Humanist: An Offering to Klaus Wachsmann: 216—60. New York: The Town House Press.
Rycroft, David. 1979 "Tonal formulae for Nguni.” Limi VII(1/2): 5—44.
Rycroft, David. 1980 "The 'depression' feature in Nguni languages and its interaction with tone. Communication No. 8.” Dept. of African Languages, Rhodes University, Grahamstown.
Rycroft, David. 1982 "The Relationships Between Speech-Tone and Melody in Southern African Music.” South African Music Encyclopedia, Volume 2, Malan, J.P., ed. Pretoria: Human Sciences Research Council.
Rycroft, David. 1983 "Tone-Patterns in Zimbabwean Ndebele.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. 46(1): 77—135.
Rycroft, David. 1987 "Zulu melodic and non-melodic vocal styles.” In Papers Presented at the Seventh Symposium on Ethnomusicology, Andrew Tracey, ed. 13-28. Grahamstown: South Africa: International Library of African Music.
Rycroft, D. and A.B. Ngcobo. 1979. Say it in Zulu. London: School of Oriental and African Studies.
Rycroft, D. and A.B. Ngcobo, eds. 1988. The Praises of Dingana: Izibongo zikaDingana. Durban, South Africa: Killie Campbell Africana Library: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: University of Natal Press.
Titus, Barbara. 2008 "Global Maskanda, Global Historiography?” Some Preliminary Enquiries. South African Music Studies 28: 43—54.
Titus, Barbara. 2013 "Walking Like a Crab”: Analyzing Maskanda Music in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Ethnomusicology 57(2): 286—310.
Tomlinson, Gary. 1991. Cultural Dialogics and Jazz: A White Historian Signifies. Black Music Research Journal 11(2): 229—64.
Bergville Blue Roses. 2012. Isililo. Thukela Records. TR003 (CD).
Magogo, Princess Constance. 1972. The Zulu Songs of Princess Constance Magogo KaDinuzulu by Hugh Tracey. Music of Africa Series 37. ILAM. CDMOA37 (LP/CD).
Mfaz' Omnyama. 1997. Khula Tshitshi Lami. Gallo. CDAFR172 (CD).
Mfaz' Omnyama. 2000. Ngisebenzile Mama. Gallo. CDGMP40822 (CD).
Mqamuli Wezintambo. 2012. Bafana Bafana. Field recording by Thomas Pooley. Recorded on 30 April, 2012, at Ndumo.
Multiple Artists 2004 Maskandi Hits: eyami lenduku. Gallo. CDGSP3055 (CD).
Phuzekhemisi noKhetani. 1992. Imbizo. Gallo. CDGSP3105 (CD).
Agawu, Victor Kofi. 2003. Representing African Music: Postcolonial Thoughts, Queries, Positions. New York: Routledge.
Blacking, John. 1967 [1994]. Venda Children's Songs: A Study in Ethnomusicological Analysis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Blacking, John. 1972. How Musical is Man? Seattle: University of Washington Press.
Clarke, Eric and Nicholas Cook, eds. 2004. Empirical Musicology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Cooper, David and Ian Sapiro. 2006 "Ethnomusicology in the Laboratory: From the Tonometer to the Digital Melograph”. Ethnomusicology Forum 15(2): 301—313.
Clegg, Jonathan. 1981 "The Music of Zulu Immigrant Workers in Johannesburg: A Focus on Concertina and Guitar.” In Papers Presented at the Symposium on Ethnomusicology, Andrew Tracey, ed. 2—9. Grahamstown, South Africa: International Library of African Music.
Collins, Tom. 2006 "Constructing Maskanda.” South African Music Studies 26/27: 1—26.
Coplan, David. 2001 "Sounds of the 'Third Way': Identity and the African Renaissance in Contemporary South African Popular Traditional Music.” Black Music Research Journal 21(1): 107—124.
Coplan, David. 2007. In Township Tonight! South Africa's Black City Music and Theatre. 2nd Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Davies, Nollene. 1992 "A Study of the Guitar Styles in Zulu Maskanda Music.” MMUS Dissertation: University of Natal, Durban.
Davies, Nollene. 1994 "The guitar in Zulu 'maskanda' tradition.” The World of Music 36(2): 118—137.
Doke, C.M., D.M. Malcolm, J.M.A. Sikakana, and B.W. Vilakazi. 1980. English-Zulu, Zulu-English Dictionary. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press.
Dubow, Saul. 2012. Apartheid. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gunner, Liz and Mafika Gwala, transl. and eds. 1991. Musho! Zulu Popular Praises. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press.
Hamm, Charles. 1991 "'The Constant Companion of Man': Separate Development, Radio Bantu and Music.” Popular Music 10(2): 147—173.
Hansen, Deidre. 1981 "The Music of the Xhosa-Speaking Peoples.” PhD. Dissertation: University of the Witwatersrand.
Johnston, Thomas F. 1973 "Speech-tone and other forces in Tsonga music.” Studies in African Linguistics 4: 49—70.
Joseph, Rosemary. 1987 "Zulu Women's Bow Songs: Ruminations on Love.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 50(1): 90—119.
Krige, Eileen Jensen. 1950. The Social System of the Zulus. Pietermaritzburg: Shuter & Shooter.
Meintjes, Louise. 2003. Sound of Africa! Making Music Zulu in a South African Studio. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press.
Meyer, Leonard. 1956. Emotion and Meaning in Music. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Muller, Carol. 2004. Focus: Music of South Africa. 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge.
Nketia, J.H. Kwabena. 2002 "Musicology and Linguistics: Integrating the Phraseology of Text and Tune in the Creative Process.” Black Music Research Journal 22(2): 143—164.
Ntuli, D.B. 1990 "Remarks on maskandi poetry.” South African Journal of African Languages. 10(4): 302—306.
Olsen, Kathryn. 2001. "'Mina ngizokushaya ngengoma'/'I will challenge you with a song': constructions of masculinity in maskanda.” Agenda 49: 51—60.
Olsen, Kathryn. 2009 "Musical characterizations of transformation: an exploration of social and political trajectories in contemporary maskanda.” Unpublished doctoral dissertation: University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Olsen, Kathryn. 2014. Music and Social Change in South Africa: Maskanda Past and Present. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
Rycroft, David. 1960 "Melodic Features in Zulu Eulogistic Recitation.” African Language Studies I: 60-78.
Rycroft, David. 1962 "Zulu and Xhosa Praise-Poetry and Song.” African Music 3(1): 79—85. Available: https://doi.org/10.21504/amj.v3i1.739.
Rycroft, David. 1963 "Tone in Zulu nouns.” African Language Studies IV: 43—68.
Rycroft, David. 1975 "A Royal Account of Music in Zulu Life with Translation, Annotation, and Musical Transcription.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 38 (2): 351—402.
Rycroft, David. 1977 "Evidence of stylistic continuity in Zulu 'town' music.” In Essays for a Humanist: An Offering to Klaus Wachsmann: 216—60. New York: The Town House Press.
Rycroft, David. 1979 "Tonal formulae for Nguni.” Limi VII(1/2): 5—44.
Rycroft, David. 1980 "The 'depression' feature in Nguni languages and its interaction with tone. Communication No. 8.” Dept. of African Languages, Rhodes University, Grahamstown.
Rycroft, David. 1982 "The Relationships Between Speech-Tone and Melody in Southern African Music.” South African Music Encyclopedia, Volume 2, Malan, J.P., ed. Pretoria: Human Sciences Research Council.
Rycroft, David. 1983 "Tone-Patterns in Zimbabwean Ndebele.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. 46(1): 77—135.
Rycroft, David. 1987 "Zulu melodic and non-melodic vocal styles.” In Papers Presented at the Seventh Symposium on Ethnomusicology, Andrew Tracey, ed. 13-28. Grahamstown: South Africa: International Library of African Music.
Rycroft, D. and A.B. Ngcobo. 1979. Say it in Zulu. London: School of Oriental and African Studies.
Rycroft, D. and A.B. Ngcobo, eds. 1988. The Praises of Dingana: Izibongo zikaDingana. Durban, South Africa: Killie Campbell Africana Library: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: University of Natal Press.
Titus, Barbara. 2008 "Global Maskanda, Global Historiography?” Some Preliminary Enquiries. South African Music Studies 28: 43—54.
Titus, Barbara. 2013 "Walking Like a Crab”: Analyzing Maskanda Music in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Ethnomusicology 57(2): 286—310.
Tomlinson, Gary. 1991. Cultural Dialogics and Jazz: A White Historian Signifies. Black Music Research Journal 11(2): 229—64.
Bergville Blue Roses. 2012. Isililo. Thukela Records. TR003 (CD).
Magogo, Princess Constance. 1972. The Zulu Songs of Princess Constance Magogo KaDinuzulu by Hugh Tracey. Music of Africa Series 37. ILAM. CDMOA37 (LP/CD).
Mfaz' Omnyama. 1997. Khula Tshitshi Lami. Gallo. CDAFR172 (CD).
Mfaz' Omnyama. 2000. Ngisebenzile Mama. Gallo. CDGMP40822 (CD).
Mqamuli Wezintambo. 2012. Bafana Bafana. Field recording by Thomas Pooley. Recorded on 30 April, 2012, at Ndumo.
Multiple Artists 2004 Maskandi Hits: eyami lenduku. Gallo. CDGSP3055 (CD).
Phuzekhemisi noKhetani. 1992. Imbizo. Gallo. CDGSP3105 (CD).
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Published
2016-11-01
How to Cite
Pooley, Thomas Matthew. 2016. “UMASKANDI IZIBONGO: SEMANTIC, PROSODIC AND MUSICAL DIMENSIONS OF VOICE IN ZULU POPULAR PRAISES”. African Music : Journal of the International Library of African Music 10 (2):7-34. https://doi.org/10.21504/amj.v10i2.2036.
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