Chapter 101 : Festival of voices

We prepare by wearing beanies, scarfs, gloves and jackets. The grandkids shrink as they are covered by beanies and scarfs. They love being wrapped under warm clothes.  They love confronting and defeating cold weather. 

In front of the stage is an amorphous mass of the backs of many colorless jackets. Behind the stage are buildings lit by colored lights. I see arms saluting the people on stage and then realise they are taking photos. The i-phone salute.

We stand still and the cold infiltrates. On the stage peripatetic people awaken the crowd with popular songs and rehearsals for the happy song. The crowd jiggles and moves with the music.

A song containing words such as burning and burn tells me we are standing near a pile of sticks. A fireman walks around triggering the appearance of smoke. Flames eventually overpower and win.

My grandkids are lit by light from candles. Their faces contain excitement and joy mixed with wonder and curiosity. We can’t resist taking a photo of them.

I speak to a tourist and he says, “You should be used to the cold.”

I tell him, “I love living in Hobart but occasionally I want permission to say its bloody cold.”

Everybody is united singing the chosen song. Our ephemeral voices drift up and away and disappear with the sparks into the darkness. We are celebrating voice.

Later in the week we have air-conditioning and comfortable seats as we listen to warm, lush, wonderful harmonies and unaccompanied vocal music.   

On stage is Ladysmith Black Mambazo. An ensemble of nine men. In matching aqua-green tops, black trousers and white shoes.

When I listen I hear the influence of Christian choirs and missionaries who introduced so many people to music. Between songs Ladysmith Black Mambazo preach their message which is love, peace and harmony.

I hear the influence of traditional Zulu chants. As well as the chants most of the songs are sung in the Zulu language.  Going by their actions a lot of the songs were about animals, birds or the beauty of rain.

I hear the influence of the mines around Johannesburg. One of their songs “Tough Times Never Last” tells the story of the mines in South Africa. Poorly paid; a long way from home with backbreaking physical work. The mines resulted in male mine workers living in the compounds. Singing and dancing was some sort of respite. In the singing and the dancing on stage I see very physical and athletic dancing involving kicking and jumping.

I see the influence of international fame. When they sing songs such as Amazing Grace and lines from Old MacDonald they have become an international group. The world is their home. They remind us of collaborations with Paul Simon when they sing “Homeless” and “Diamonds on the Soles of Their Shoes”. Their dancing contained steps and movements from Chuck Berry, Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley mixed with traditional Zulu kicks.      

I see the influence of community and family in South Africa. Many of the group are related. Four are brothers and two original members are still in the group.  Most have been in the group for years. Their goal is to sing together, not out-sing and dominate others. They jostle with each other and love each other.  They don’t vote the weakest singer off.  

Ladysmith Black Mambazo say their goal is to tour the world with their music and promote peace, love and harmony.   

Steve Biko said, “It is time for Africa to give something to the world. What we will give the world is Ubuntu”. 

The word ubuntu translates as humanity.

Ubuntu is a philosophy where individuals come together, look out for each other and are communal in outlook. Opposed to materialism and individualism.

Ubuntu accepts the uniqueness and humanity in everyone. Unique race or religion. No inferiority or superiority. All are deserving of love for being unique in their own special way.

This is what I hear when I hear Ladysmith Black Mambazo.  It’s also what I heard at the bonfire. The festival of voices is full of ubuntu.