The dance company called Shikisha is from the South African city of Durban. This was a company made of three women who celebrate the dance that was created by the gold miners during the gold rush days in Johannesburg. This was a dance created by the workers during their long days away from family, as a way to raise their spirits and has become one of the traditional dances that is now celebrated throughout the country, in the Johannesburg boutique hotels, in the festivals of Pretoria and Cape Town. This movement which has become a powerful and passionate movement is the union of movement, voice, and drumming. Shikisha has combined the styles from the various regions, together with modern music and contemporary dance.
The Zulu word, Shikisha, is defined as ‘belting it out’, to dance and to sing and to play music like never before. The rhythms of the drums, the trios powerful and incredible voices and the costumes designed with the traditional bead work of the women of South Africa, make this a heart stopping show. This expresses the ideas with voices of so many in the country who were for so long kept quiet. The lead singer for the company is Julia Mathumjwa. During one of the shows she surprised some by doing a cover of the old hit song “Pretty Vacant” originally by the British Punk band, the Sex Pistols. She correlated the struggles of her times spent in London, with the struggles of the impoverished children of her own country.
Mathumjwa started the company during her years working in theater in the West End district of London. The company toured internationally, performing in their homeland as well as throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. Upon their third tour of the Eastern US, the company offered seminars and lectures during their schedule, at the art organizations and the museums, spreading the joy that they create through this dance and this music of South Africa. Mathumjwa passed away in 2006, but she created a movement that will continue to gain power and strength through celebration and dance.
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