The Music of Rituals

On Wednesday the 13th, a presentation by Stellenbosch University Professor Ncebakazi Mnukwana was about Umggokolo, which is the overtone singing of Xhosa-singing adolescent girls. She began playing an instrument made by maiden girls inspired by a hunting bow and used a stick to either scratch or strike the string. This was used in rituals for girls reaching puberty. The music and songs served as lyrical backgrounds for the girls to dance to, sing, and practice socializing with the opposite sex. Then, a song was played about "killing this old woman" representing the abandonment and hardships they faced. 

Lastly, she played a larger bow with a calabash and moved the hole of it on and off her body, changing the tone as she vocalized along. This instrument was played by married women carrying on the messages of silenced women. Unfortunately, this is a dying art form, and the rituals are only played for remembrance. Professor Mnukwana's research focus is on how this is affecting women's identity and the competition of sexes, creating a gap for women in South Africa and the world. The speaker ended by asserting that women should maximize what they have and give themselves credit for all that they do. 

 Hannah G

07/13/2022