The Global Hybrid of Kwaito Music

Introduction

The Township Funk

The historical background of Kwaito music all started after the post –apartheid of South African colonial struggle. Its rhyme and sounds is developed from five local and cultural music genres which influenced its movement. The sounds show the warm hospitality and passion that came out of the South African people. The passion, as many would describe it, emerged from mood rhythms that created dance styles such as diskie, pantsula, circle dance, gumboot dance, and many others. Kwaito being the angry voice of the townships highlights the way people displayed their concerns about the post- apartheid and life struggle in Soweto skwata camps of Johannesburg.

History

It all started when the first early Khoisan people lived in the coastal and eastern parts of the country for hunting and gazing reasons. Than in 1652, the first European settlers Jan Van Riebeeck and the 90 men who landed at the Cape of Good Hope under the Dutch East India Company built a fort and vegetable garden for the eastern trade route. The two groups began battering and more European settlers slowly took over the land without the acknowledgment from the Khoisan people. Khoisan saw a threat as more Europeans settle on their land and the same year slaves were important and a colony developed.

As more European migrated to the Eastern Cape, they quickly lost their Dutch, German, and French identification and new generation known as Afrikaners and Boer was born, speaking a Dutch dialect known as Afrikaans. By 1790’s, colonials started fighting among themselves for land. In 1795, British took Eastern Cape from the Dutch and 7 yrs later the Dutch government gained it back. However, by1806, Eastern Cape was returned back to British with help from Napoleon and Holland bringing in 5,000 more settlers.

The discovery of diamonds and gold stroked an Anglo-Boer war between the British and Boers. Cape front war between the British and Xhosa people also developed. In the mean while, the Boer and Zulu ethnic groups were also fighting for land at for Kwanza Nutal. However, the Zulu lost the war and the country was named to Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek. By 1910, the New South Africa union was led by Louis Bothe, a Boer, who became the first South African president. 

When Apartheid becomes controversial

As the Afrikaners were taking over, Black South Africans also started organizational public actives such as the African National Congress, which was led by young fighters like Nelson Mandela and many others to fighting for freedom and land. Nonetheless, by 1948 law of Apartheid was passed and this restricted black people from owning land. Resistance culminated in the Sharpeville Massacre in March 1960, during which the police killed 69 protesters. The ANC responded by going underground and establishing an armed wing (Spear of the Nation), which was at the forefront of the South African apartheid struggle.

Life Gets harder and harder for the living

The government, in return, tightened its repressive measures and attempting to crush the movement and forcing those leaders who were not incarcerated on Robben Island, to flee overseas. After regrouping, the ANC in exile, as well as internal underground structures were able to bring such pressure to bear on the apartheid government that it unbanned all liberation movements in 1990, freed imprisoned leaders and entered negotiations, which culminated in the first democratic elections being held on 27 April 1994.

 Why Apartheid?

 Political race laws touched on every aspect of social life. People where categorized according to decanted, appearance and social acceptance. Apartheid acted as a racial separation which divided South Africans into whites, blacks, and coloreds (mixture of Indian or Asian and non-whites). Political rights such as voting, job occupations where restricted according to designated homelands. In addition, the freedom to travel was ruled by passport holders an idea which was aimed mainly at black South African. And in the process losing their citizenship in South Africa and therefore becoming homeland citizens.   

After apartheid, Kwaito was the voice of emotional expression. Black South African wanted something to relate too and to tell their stories and voice their opinions. Lyrics of anger, aggressive shouted blabbered and chanted words. They took the ward Kwaito from “Amakwaito” in the 1950’s from a South African gangster group situated in the hearts of Johannesburg Township.

Although Kwaito migrated from the post-apartheid era as part of the South African history, it showed how proud South African was of all things townships. It had essence of Mbaganga sounds (1980’s) developed in South African townships around Johannesburg and Durban with Zulu language in the early 1060’s. Mbaganga means cornmeal porridge that South African people eat everyday for breakfast; Kwela sounds (1950’s)- southern Africa with jazzy underpinnings and a distinctive, Skiffle beat  which means  “get up” or “police van” in Zulu.

South African Youth dancing Kwaito

Kwela sounds also feature a cheap penny whistle which served as a lead voice in the 1940-1950s; Marabi sounds (1920’s)- South African key board played in local bars and Shebeens of Johannesburg; Traditional marimba sounds using an instruments and keys resemble the piano. With its many local personalities, sounds, dances, and flavor Kwaito has made quiet an in fluently base in the township communities. Kwaito’s Base line sounds such as house music is used as background music for people to dance or artist to sing live. With its locally flavored sounds, it is sung with a mixture of English, Zulu, Sesotho, and Isicamtho local languages. Now, it is influenced by pop, jazz, and Reggae music. Moreover, it has traveled to other African countries such as its neighboring Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and many others. A typical Kwaito CD would sell for R25.00 or R30.00 South African Rands. Tracks would have a recognizable South African music element or feel to it. And if you happen to listen to Namibian Kwaito, there is really not much difference except for the language and slang words in it.

International breakthrough

Today, Kwaito is gradually expanding to other countries such as the China and Japan. Other influence includes Europe and Australia. With Famous Namibian and South African artist like Ees, Arthur Majakote, Gazza, and  The Dog selling  beyond their native countries. Although, Kwaito it’s not as big in America as it is on other continents, it’s slowing traveling here. Artist like the Dog and Gazza perform in New York, Michigan and Chicago every year and one can find their videos on YouTube. You can also buy their albums on iTunes, Amazon, and cduniverse.com. Today, Kwaito is however very popular in Canada, London Hamburg and Germany. Its global hybrid has connected the Southern Africa to the world.

Typically, Kwaito is a communicative engine. It has no color or boundaries. It connects the world to African and it educates the youth about culture, politics, and life in general. Kwaito is what we call music that created the environment. Since the life environment in South Africa was so intense, it broke the ice and made people happy again. People from various nations came together by using language, dance, and social media.  Social network is a powerful tool to incorporate in our daily lives.

To find out more about Kwaito Music and South African history please visit the sites below.

http://kaganof.com/kagablog/category/films/sharp-sharp-the-kwaito-story/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwaito

www.youtube.com/Kwaito

http://www.tsotsi.com/english/index.php?m1=press&m2=kwaito

http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/us/us-home

http://www.youtube.com/user/eesyees 

A documentary about Kwaito on Youtube/ Ees

iTunes.com

CDuniverisary

Elizabeth Gilbert " Eat Pray Love"

By Elizabeth Gilbert

Publisher:  Penguin

334 Pages, $15.00

Book review on Elizabeth Gilbert “Eat Pray Love

In her memoir “Eat Pray Love” Elizabeth Gilbert turned her personal journey into a funny, witty, humorous book. Gilbert knows how to organize interesting parts of her life journey into short story chapters that made it easy to read and understand the nature of what she explored and treasured through that experience. Than 32 years of age, Gilbert leaves behind a disband marriage, struggled with depression to purse spiritual and personal exploration in Italy, India and Bali.

I must admit that I saw the movie first before I read the book.  Although, supposedly, the movie seemed superficial and does not do the book justice, I should point out that the book gives you so much more details. The early pages of the book instantaneously capture your attention and connect you “to explore the art of pleasure in Italy, the art of devotion in India, and, in Indonesia, the art of balancing the two.”  and once I finished reading the entire book, I understood why it’s # 1 New York Times bestseller for so long.

The fascination with Gilbert is that she has a way of telling a story in its most natural truth and form. Yet knowing that Gilbert is not out to deceive her audience, she attempts to translate some of her most memorable Italian expressions in chapter 23-24. Moreover, knowing how well she writes, she managed not to fail to actually put some emphasize on the most eloquent words.

In prospect, Gilbert spiritual journey, first begin when she was ceaselessly waiting to finalize her divorce, Gilbert agree to a magazine assignment in Bali and while on her trip there, she meet  a spiritual leader who told her that she would one day venture on a journey of pleasure, devotion and balance.

During her trip to Italy, Gilbert draws attention to the many wonderful aspect of Italy. She taped on the beauty of its people and the taste of food. She in particular, layered out the idea that Italy has “the best pizza in the world” when ordered at a little restaurant Pizzeria da Michele in Naples.

Some may find this thrilling, however others may think it is an over statement in time as she points outs that it’s like “having a relationship with this pizza, almost an affair.” Yet trying to find the line it joins happiness and experiencing “four months of pure pleasure” with its people and Architecture.

In India “36 tales about the Pursuit of devotion” Gilbert focused on the union that transpired between her mind and Yoga. The ability to devote one’s self to an object or task through study and by a practice of silence, even more, having the patient to with stand the duration. And in short “trying to find God through meditation”.

By the time Gilbert arrives in Indonesia, because “of careless travels”, she has already experienced her many guilty pleasure, except for one, “LOVE”. But In her happiest moment and of all things positive, Gilbert found “believing in love again” in the arms of a gorgeous Brazilian man named Javier Bardem. And although she was sometimes smiling or crying, Elizabeth Gilbert‘s “Eat, Pray, Love” is a must read.

Art is Culture

Since we are on the subject of art this month, I took it upon myself to visit the National Gallery of Art on 7th and Constitution Ave, West Wing. Why the West Wing? “The National Gallery of Art was created in 1937 for the people of the United States of America by a joint resolution of Congress, accepting the gift of financier and art collector Andrew W. Mellon” clearly this was a whole new introduce individual to different forms of art whether is painting , scripture or photography.

Now, upon visiting the Gallery, I found three very interesting works of art that I think were created. The three works were all created by three different French Art painters.

Henri Matisse (La Coiffure 1901) - Uses simplified figures and bold colors in his paintings. La Coiffure show cases a women figure in front of a mirror doing her hair. The painting brings the subject upfront with colors being used in the background.

Auguste Renoir (Diana 1919)- Captures the female body in its most ambiguous manner with the use of his most favorite colors black, white and gray and clear skin of Diana that show case’s Renoir’s style. Diana his earliest work is an image of a goddess huntress, a mythological figure from Roman History.

Gustave Courbet (A young Woman reading 1866) – In this painting Gustave showcase a women reading in an outdoor environment surrounded by color of green in a forest tree.

All three painting have one thing in common, transforming the women’s body into a canvas. The lines and natural shape of a women where used to convince the audience that the body is a form of art. It shapes itself in every way and to any advantage. French culture in show case art through nude paintings was an expression of understanding a woman’s look. The oil paint and water color on paper made it come to life and real. I’ve come to realize that among the three painting, that I have chosen, Auguste Renoir stands out the most. Mainly because I felt I could relate to a women huntress. Back in the day my ancients used to be women huntress and in a one of Namibian cultural women go hunting in cultural outfits and some consist of just a plain cloth wrapped around the mid-section to cover the private parts.

http://www.nga.gov/

Story Telling " Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples Ears"

Why mosquitoes buzz in people’s ears?

By Aardema Verna (1975)

Why mosquitoes buzz in peoples ears? Is an ancient West African story about a beautiful Iguana. When Iguana was ready enough to marry, all creatures from the walks of life came to confess their love for her and demonstrated their skills. Since there were many creatures with impressive skills, Iguana had difficulties choosing a husband. Then Mosquito came along. Who was so determined to marry her. However, the Iguana didn’t quite find him qualified for the position. In fact, she told him off in front of the other creatures and that made Mosquito very hurt and ashamed.

From that day forward, Mosquito decided that each time he runs into Ear, he would vigorously buzz in her Ear to annoy and make him known to her. Than the Iguana not wanting to hear such nonsense decided to plug her ears with sticks and thus, fails to listen to the python. In assuming that the Iguana is angry with the python, he plots a mischief which resulted in him hiding in the Rabbit’s hole which disturbed the Rabbit.

Inconclusion, this chain of events goes on until a baby owl was killed as result of confusion and the King Lion trying to investigate who actually killed the owl and the story ends in the Mosquito taking the blame for starring up chaos in the forest. Why was anyone angry at Mosquito? Well, because it was the Mosquito who annoyed the Iguana, who frightened the Python, who scared the Rabbit, who startled the Cow, who alarmed the Monkey, who accidentally killed the Owlet and who made the mother Owl to not wake the sun so that the day can come.

The history of the story began way back as an ancient African tale when the elders of a community would gather all the members of the family and sit them down around a fire to educate younger children about the morals of miscommunication and  how lying to elders can cause mistrust between to people. And the social themes expressed in the story being that children will engage in finding out the cause and effect of a problem. More like solving the problem that raised out of “why” an insect obtain the characteristics of “buzzing” and solving the problem by using animal adventures to explain their behaviors.

We can probably also re-tell this tale to a contemporary audience by using human behaviors. 

Once long time ago, in the Western part of Africa live a beautiful woman who couldn’t decided on whom she wanted to marry. The beautiful woman was so picky and she caused such a raffle between the men of the village. However, there was this one annoying man who couldn’t quite understand why all the man in the village where so hopelessly in love with this one woman. So the annoying man set out to seduce the beautiful woman, marry her and later divorce her. Just to prove a point that not every beautiful woman can keep a man or not every man can love a beautiful lady.

Stereotypes are a disadvantage at most!

We all know that stereotypes can either be positive or negative but they are definitely mostly misleading. lately, over the past 4 and half years, of course I'm probably just obsessing over this because it's in my head, but I've noticed that when ever i let people know that I'm from Namibia, a country in Africa, they tend to ask or make the silliest general comments over the continent climate changes and it's people. Mind you that some of these people know little about it's historical background and the changes that keep evolving within it.

Now i do want to clarify that, i have not just chosen to write about the popular belief that the rest of the world have surrounding this group of people because I'm African;  No! it's because I've been procrastinating on whether to believe those who blame media influence for the lack of knowledge that they acquire about the African continent and other countries in general. and yes, i am standing up for what i believe is wrong.

I found that some ignore the correct information you try to offer them and when you do, they come up with some Liam  excuse that they have never either had history or geography as a subject in school while growing up and that's why they know less about other countries or because the media feeds them negative images concerning the world. if so the media is to blame and you clearly point out  point out that it's  at faults, then why do you choice to follow it's errors?... that's what i complete nonsense and insufficient common sense.

I find it pretty pathetic, that even a less educated or privileged person knows more about the rest of world than those who live around many different learning resources to take advantage off. Maybe it's ignorance ,but i find it very offensive and disrespectful to slur out a comment that doesn't even make sense towards what your trying to put across.

Clearly,negative comments about a particular racial, ethnic or cultural group should  be kept to ones self if you clearly know nothing about their historical background.  this goes to show that more knowledge is needed in order to loss the stereotype haul.

Inital Essay

First time blogging so, please join me on my journey on how i see journalism.