Browsing by Author "Hansen, Deirdre"

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    Iintlombe Zamagqirha : an assessment of the meaning and value of Xhosa-speaking diviners' songs
    (2003) Faxi-Lewis, Nunziatina Nomalibo; Hansen, Deirdre
    Traditional Xhosa speaking diviners operate within the broad framework of traditional 'Nguni' thought patterns. They use standard methods and techniques of treating and involving practices in which the diviner works with the assistance of the ancestors. They also use diviners' songs either from the established repertory or their own, original songs based on these models. However, these people practice their profession at the beginning of the twenty-first century in city and rural localities, mingling with people of different cultural and educational backgrounds. As traditional healers, diviners use a whole range of treatments at hand, and the inevitable mixing of resources, languages and customs which occurs when coping with 'mixed' communities, means that the attitudes and methods of diviners are not exactly the same. Because of their different and individual experiences, diviners tend to develop different views and strategies to achieve effective healing, and this impacts on the music they use.
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    The revival and revitalization of musical bow practice in South Africa
    (2005) Mandela, Tandile; Hansen, Deirdre
    This dissertation is a formal study of musical bow revivals in South Africa, based on an assessment of the instruments' historical and current usage, and functions. This study is also the inevitable result of my responses to certain musical experiences during the past three years, and which generated in me a personal commitment to the practice of African cultural music, which I 'discovered' through studies with Dizu Plaatjies and other African music specialists, who also speak through this study. My growing interest drew me to musical bows, which have become my principal instruments for musical compositions, and also personal expression. The primary focus of the dissertation is current bow practice in the Eastern and Western Cape, and certain areas in KwaZulu Natal, and personal interaction with people who became my main informants and teachers.
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    The role of music in the traditional marriage ceremonies of the Bemba-speaking people of northern Zambia
    (2004) Lumbwe, Kapambwe; Hansen, Deirdre
    Bemba traditional society views marriage as the union of a man and woman forever. In addition, marriage also signifies the bringing together and amalgamation of the bride and groom's immediate and extended families, thereby extending the sense of communalism in Bemba society. Because of the Bemba people's strong sense of oral tradition, marriages are contracted by word of mouth and not by a certificate. This strong sense of oral agreement has endured and is revered and respected, despite the rapid increase in literacy and the impact of inter- racial relations and modernization. From the time a man finds a woman to marry to the time they actually marry, there are different ceremonies that have to be performed. These ceremonies include: Ukusonga (proposal), Ukukobekela (engagement), Ubwinga (wedding), Amatebeto (honoring) and Ukwingisha (lit. putting something into a container or enclosure, but denotes the highest level of honor). Ukusonga marks the beginning of the marriage process. It involves the delivery of a marriage proposal by a man to a woman through an intermediary (go-between or spokesman) known as Shibukombe. Ukukobekela follows immediately after that, and involves the presentation of a betrothal or engagement present called insalamo, to the family of the woman. Once all marriage negotiations are concluded the two families begin to make necessary preparations for the wedding ceremony Ubwinga, which is celebrated at the home of the bride. With time, a married man who proves to be a good husband, a good father and indeed a good member of the community, will be honored by his inlaws who will initiate the Ukwingisha ceremony on his behalf. Since the notion of having honor and being honored is highly valued in Bemba society, this ceremony is particularly important to a married man as it establishes a strong sense of pride and belonging both for him and his family. As such, this ceremony can be regarded as a public display of worthiness, which suggests that certain codes of conduct have successfully been negotiated, on the part of both the man and the woman.