Types of Dance
There are many different types of Traditional Zulu Dances. They all go back sometime in history and some are fusion with of different forms of dancing and some newer, coming into being as a result of migrants coming from Zululand to work in the Gold mines of Johannesburg and other urban areas. Most traditional Zulu dances go back in time to before the rise of Zulu Empire by King Shaka, iLembe!
Bull Dance: a dance that originated in the cramped confines of the mine dormitories imitating a bull with the arms held aloft and the legs brought down with a thump. The rural girls have their own version.
The Hunting Dance imitates the actions of hunting and the bravery it requires. This fiery dance is danced using sticks instead of spears to avoid injury and was danced before the hunt began. The girls also dance their own version but to welcome the men back from the hunt.
The Dance of the Small Shield dates from Shaka’s time and is a rhythmic dance used to encourage military unity. Today it is normally performed at Royal occasions. A similar dance using a spear and shield is the umGhubho.
The umQhogoyo involves violent shaking of the upper body.
The umBhekuzo represents the ebb and flow of the tides with the men alternately advancing and retreating on the audience. Those at the ends lift up their aprons exposing their buttocks.
The dancers’ bodies move in snakelike unison accompanied by singing in the UmChwayo.
The umGhebulo appears as if the dancers want to pull down the sky or climb an imaginary ladder to it.
The iliKhomba is a graceful dance with rhythmic movements of the upper body accompanied by the swinging of a long decorated stick.
Drums
Drums are an integral part of most festivities and are made today from petrol drums with a stretched skin at each end – previously they were made from earthenware pots.
The vibration drum is made from a container with skin over one end.
Native to South Africa, the Zulu tribe has many rituals that have been passed from generation to generation over time. Dancing is one of the most common types of community rituals, and it is incorporated into most Zulu ceremonies. Zulu dances are signs of happiness and they occur when any significant event takes place.
Historical Significance
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According to Zulu Culture, thousands of Zulu virgins dance at the Enyokeni Zulu Royal Palace each September at the Reed Dance Festival, or Umkhosi Womhlanga. The tradition begins with the virgin maids gathering reeds from the river and bringing them to the Zulu king. The girls dance with the reeds in front of the king, and then he chooses his bride. Besides the bride choice, one of the main purposes of this ritual was to encourage girls to remain virgins until marriage.
Occasions
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There are several types of Zulu dances that occur throughout the year and many occasions that call for a dance. Some examples of these significant time periods include weddings, childbirth and coming-of-age initiations. Other dancing occasions include inaugurations of Zulu kings and war victories.
Types of Zulu Dances
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There are many types of Zulu dances besides the reed dance. The Ingoma dance is considered one of the most purist forms of Zulu dance, according to Zululand Ecoadventures. This dance is performed to a chant and during transition ceremonies, such as coming of age, weddings and pre-hunt or pre-battle time periods. The Ingoma is frantically danced and incorporates high kicking motions. The Indlamu dance is the traditional male warrior dance, and it shows off muscular strength and mock fighting. The Imvunulo dance only has one dancer and is done to show off traditional Zulu attire and place in society. Isicathamiya is a dance performed by a group of men or boys standing in a straight line to symbolize community life and issues. At weddings, both the Ingoma and Indalmu dances are done, along with Umbholoho dances. These types of dances feature both families of the newly married couple.
Music
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Ingoma dances are done with the sounds of the dancers’ chants. In the Isishameni form of Ingoma, the boys and girls dance separately, and the opposite genders clap along for each other. The Indlamu dance is done with drums and whistles. The Isicathamiya and Umbholoho dances are danced to both drums and songs.
Clothing
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Girls are bare-chested and wear wool skirts and ankle rattles during the Ingoma dances and reed dance. Boys and men typically only wear cowhides that cover their genitals and backsides during the Ingoma dance. Men wear full warrior attire, such as cowhides, head rings, ankle rattles, ceremonial belts and shields during the Indalamu dance. In the Imvunulo dance, women wear leather skirts and beaded aprons, while men wear amabeshu (cowhides). Only married women may wear red beads.
Read more: The History of Zulu Dance | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6559534_history-zulu-dance.html#ixzz2RUTWMuhR
Zulu Dance 