Nicholas Hlobo - Umshotsho (*slideshow*)

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Umtshotsho, a traditional youth dance, is exhibited at the National Arts festival. Created by Nicholas Hlobo, Umtshotsho, emerges from non-traditional materials. He uses
rubber tube, leather, ribbons to explore Xhosa traditions and homosexuality.

Township transport trouble

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As a Grahamstown resident I live a pedestrian existence. Everything I need is within walking distance – the supermarket, Rhodes, Festival venues, Computicket… Since arriving here in March I have not used a taxi.

But this all changes on Tuesday evening when I decide to see Ingcwaba Lendoda Lise Cankwe Ndlela (The Grave of the Man is Next to the Road) at Nombulelo Hall.

Xhosa crafting and grafting

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If you are looking for unique, colourful and top-quality souvenirs to take home from this year’s Festival, be sure to make a stop at the Eastern Cape Craft Tent at the Village Green.

The Tent includes utilitarian and art objects made from wood, grass, beads, ceramics and wire, as well as imibhaco (Xhosa embroidered attire). Much of it is being made before your eyes.

Clans gather for healing song

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XHOSA tradition will be on spectacular display in Abathembu Dance and Music – Umtsholoza waBathembu with their portrayal of Imini yoMdudo – a day of celebration where Xhosa clans come together in harmonious traditional songs and dance, while women, men, boys and girls adorn themselves with colourful beads and attire.

Music unveils African identity

Watching the Eastern Cape Indigenous Orchestra rehearsing for their next performance, the spontaneity and animation of traditional African music seems far away. Stiff bodies follow the director’s instructions. When the performance and the dance begin, life takes over. It is then obvious that traditional isiXhosa music is very much alive, even when it is modernised.

Traditional wedding charged with energy

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Amid commercialised African productions comes a dance piece with 65 dancers aged between six and 69 with its main purpose to uphold Eastern Cape traditions in a celebratory fashion. Umtshato – The Wedding is a musical dance production that maintains its originality and authentic nature.

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