Isicathamiya

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Isicathamiya is a singing tradition of the South African Zulu and is practiced exclusively by male choirs.

The name translates as "on tiptoe" or "creeping up". Isicathamiya differs from traditional mbube singing ("lion"), which is sung louder and more powerfully. With Isicathamiya, on the other hand, more emphasis is placed on the harmonious interplay of the various voices. The name also refers to the singers' special dance style, as demonstrated, for example, by the internationally known group Ladysmith Black Mambazo . In this dance, the dancers often move on tiptoe.

The beginnings of Isicathamiya go back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when numerous men left the homelands to look for work in the cities and in the mining industry. In order not to forget their origins and to preserve their identity, the men began to sing.

At present, Isicathamiya competitions are held on weekends in Johannesburg and Durban , often with up to thirty choirs.

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