what is mbube music

What does Mbube stand for?

Mbube is a form of South African vocal music, made famous by the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The word mbube means " lion " in Zulu. Traditionally performed a cappella, the members of the group are male although a few groups have a female singer.

What is Mbube music in South Africa?

It spread to Johannesburg, one of the largest South African cities. Mbube is a precursor to the more currently popular African choral genres mbaqanga and iscathamiya. Since the formation of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the mbube has fallen out of style in favor of isicathamiya, which is a softer, lighter genre.

What is Mbube choral music?

Mbube is a choral music of South Africa that emerged out of church choir singing, Zulu choral singing, and African-American music, not the usual Cuban and Congolese influences of other African popular music styles.

Is “Mbube” the same as “the Lion Sleeps Tonight?

This song, “Mbube,” was not adapted from the popular “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” This is the original song, written by South African Zulu musician Solomon Linda and recorded with his group, The Evening Birds. Mbube is a Zulu word meaning lion. The iconic melody was not a part of the original song.

Where does the game Mbube come from?

Pronounced "Mboo-bay Mboo-bay," this game uses a Zulu word for lion. The Zulu tribe is based in what is modern-day South Africa. The game is good for groups of six or more. In this game, children help a lion, or mbube, locate and capture an impala (a deer-like animal with antlers).

How was Isicathamiya created?

The prototype of isicathamiya dates to the years following World War I, when Zulu men from the countryside moved closer to urban areas to find work in coal mines and factories, especially in the province of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) in eastern South Africa.

Who is known as Mama Africa?

Miriam Makeba, in full Zensi Miriam Makeba, (born March 4, 1932, Prospect Township, near Johannesburg, South Africa—died November 10, 2008, Castel Volturno, near Naples, Italy), South African-born singer who became known as Mama Afrika, one of the world's most prominent Black African performers in the 20th century.

What was the first album of Ladysmith Black Mambazo?

Ufakazi YibheshuLadysmith Black Mambazo / First album

What is the meaning of isicathamiya?

tread carefullyThe word itself does not have a literal translation; it is derived from the Zulu verb -cathama, which means walking softly, or tread carefully. Isicathamiya contrasts with an earlier name for Zulu a cappella singing, mbube, meaning "lion".

What is isicathamiya used for?

Isicathamiya is a performative vocal style in South Africa that is primarily associated with Zulu migrant works. 'Isicathamiya' translates roughly as 'on tip toe' or to stalk/walk carefully, which is reflected in some of the signature dance moves used in performances.

What is Africa real name?

AlkebulanIn fact, this school argues that Africa was initially named Alkebulan and was widely referred to as Alkebulan before the name Africa was birthed. In Kemetic History of Afrika, Dr cheikh Anah Diop writes, “The ancient name of Africa was Alkebulan.

Who named Africa?

All historians agree that it was the Roman use of the term 'Africa' for parts of Tunisia and Northern Algeria which ultimately, almost 2000 years later, gave the continent its name. There is, however, no consensus amongst scholars as to why the Romans decided to call these provinces 'Africa'.

What was South Africa original name?

The name "South Africa" is derived from the country's geographic location at the southern tip of Africa. Upon formation, the country was named the Union of South Africa in English and Unie van Zuid-Afrika in Dutch, reflecting its origin from the unification of four formerly separate British colonies.

What does the name Black Mambazo mean?

The group's name comes from Shabalala's hometown of Ladysmith, near the city of Durban, South Africa. Black refers to the strongest of all farm animals, the black ox. Mambazo is the Zulu word for axe, a symbol of the group's vocal strength.

How many Grammys does Ladysmith have?

They became known internationally after singing with Paul Simon on his 1986 album Graceland, and have won multiple awards, including five Grammy Awards, dedicating their fifth Grammy to the late former President Nelson Mandela.

What was Ladysmith Black Mambazo biggest hit?

Black Mambazo was founded in the 1960s and grew to become world-renowned for their signature sound, sung without any instruments. Some of their biggest hits included Homeless and Nomathemba.

What is the nickname for Africa?

Other names such as the land of Ham (Ham means dark skins), mother of mankind, the garden of Eden, dark or black continent, Kingdom in the sky, and the land of cush or kesh (referring to the Cushites who were ancient Ethiopian) were used. Why is Africa called Africa?

Who wrote Mama Africa?

Mama Africa (song)"Mama Africa"LabelKonvict/UpFront/SRC/UniversalSongwriter(s)Thiam, Abdulsamad, Browne, Dixon, Dwyer, Elton, Gowdy, Otto, RichardsProducer(s)HakimAkon singles chronology7 more rows

What is mbube music?

Mbube - Music Genres - Rate Your Music. Genres >. Mbube. [Genre25306] Mbube is a South African vocal genre, traditionally performed a cappella in a powerful and loud way. Mbube appeared in Johannesburg in the 1920s. It was pioneered by Solomon Linda and was popularised by Miriam Makeba, particularly through the songs " Mbube " ...

Who was the first African singer to sing Mbube?

It was pioneered by Solomon Linda and was popularised by Miriam Makeba, particularly through the songs " Mbube " and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", as well as the band Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the 1960s. Southern African Music. Mbube. Top releases ( See genre chart)

What is the significance of Solomon Linda's story of Mbube and the Lion Sleeps Tonight?

In the final analysis, Solomon Linda’s story of Mbube and The Lion Sleeps Tonight is an extremely tragic case of exploitation and cultural appropriation…It also reminds one of the History of Rock n Roll music which was started by Black Artists like Little Richard who never got the full financial benefits or Cultural recognition for their creativity.

How much did Mbube and the Lion Sleeps Tonight make?

Rian’s Rolling Stone piece estimated that Mbube and the Lion Sleeps Tonight had earned at least $15 million from its use by Disney in the Lion King alone.

What is the story behind the Lion Sleeps Tonight song?

It’s an unmatched story of cultural appropriation and exploitation revealing how despite Linda’s Mbube composition became a worldwide phenomenon when it was re-recorded as the Lion Sleeps Tonight earning millions in sales and publishing Royalties for Record Companies and Disney Studios both in Africa and abroad, the Composer of Mbube the original Mbube song on which the Lion Sleeps Tonight was based and his family continued to wallow in poverty until a Lawsuit was instituted over Royalty payments due for Mbube’s use as the Lion Sleeps Tonight was finally settled by Disney in 2006.

What was the Mbube used for?

Eventually Mbube was used by Disney as part of the Lion King soundtrack.

When was Mbube released?

The Recording, Release and Success Of Mbube. Mbube or The Lion Sleeps Tonight as it would later become more popularly known is a 1939 Zulu recording by Solomon Linda and his groupThe Evening Birds for Gallo Records, South Africa.

Who settled the lawsuit over Mbube and the Lion Sleeps Tonight?

The article ignited a Lawsuit which Disney promptly settled with the Linda Family who received some Royalty payments for Mbube and the Lion Sleeps Tonight into a Family Trust.

Is Mbube copyrighted?

Nevertheless, Disney and the other International Record Companies continue to collect the international Royalties for Mbube and The Lion Sleeps Tonight due from the International adaptations of the song whose copyright is still enforceable outside South Africa .

Isicathamiya (Mbube Music)

This page is still under construction. It should be complete by 6/30/21

Quick Facts

When: Origins traced to the late 1800s Where: Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, all major mining centers in South Africa Instrumentation: male vocalists, usually bass singers, singing a cappella Key People/Groups: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Solomon Linda, and the Zulu Nation Influenced by: Hymns and gospel music, ragtime, minstrel music, and spirituals Key Terms:.

What is the mbube style?

Since the formation of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the mbube has fallen out of style in favor of isicathamiya, which is a softer, lighter genre.

What is the Mbube?

Mbube is a form of South African vocal music, made famous by the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The word mbube means " lion " in Zulu. Traditionally performed a cappella, the members of the group are male although a few groups have a female singer.

Why did Zulu men come to the South?

These men brought with them their own cultures and, in order to preserve a sense of community, formed choirs.

When did Linda sing with the evening birds?

In 1933 Linda began singing with a group of friends called the Evening Birds. In 1939 they recorded a few tracks for Gallo Records when Linda improvised the first 15 notes of a song they called "Mbube".

Who sang the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"?

The song was later made internationally famous, by The Weavers as " Wimoweh " in 1948 and then as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by the Tokens in 1961. Miriam Makeba 's recording of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in the 1960s helped popularize the genre and establish the singing tradition.