Theory of Zulu Dancing and Culture

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Theoretical Component In the Study of Zulu culture there have been many theories developed by scholars, researchers and anthropologists. The most intricate rituals, such as Ukusoka (circumcision) and Marriage. The Zulu people have much to offer even when it comes to the Zulu dancing and the wide variety of Zulu dances. There are more than nine different dances. Types of Zulu Dancing There are many types of Zulu dancing, and each of them offers a different meaning, origin and is used on a specific occasion. Indlamu: a classic Zulu dance and one the oldest ones. Indlamu is usually performed by men of any age, but can also be performed by women; it is performed with drums, guitars and often vocals. Full Zulu attire when is required performing this dance, head rings, ceremonial belts, ankle rattles, shields and spears. This dance demonstrates the war dances of the Zulu warriors and it requires you to have great strength and stamina. When performed the dancers have a fearless attitude as they swing and lunge their spears into the air through an imaginary enemy. Females have a similar way of doing this dance but in a less fierce manner. A similar dance to this is the Mzansi, were they test a warrior’s strength through dance. Gumboots: I found this topic interesting because I have always attempted mimic Gumboot dancing; because it was would be fun making rhythmic sounds using the ground and my body parts. Gumboot dancing originated in gold mines during the oppressive South African Apartheid regime. Working in the mines was difficult and full of hardships, the tunnels and caves were often flooded and it was cheaper to provide the workers with boots than to drain the mine. Since the workers were forced to be silent by their oppressors, this resulted in their own unique form of Morse-code by stomping their feet on the hard echoing ground, rattling their restrictive

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