The resilience of traditional dance as a repository of cultural heritage: The case of Ingoma of Malawi
The resilience of traditional dance as a repository of cultural heritage: The case of Ingoma of Malawi
Author(s): McDonald J. MaluwayaSubject(s): Theatre, Dance, Performing Arts, Cultural history, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Social differentiation, Sociology of Art, Identity of Collectives
Published by: Akadémiai Kiadó
Keywords: group identity/ethnicity; unity; cultural preservation; transmission; cultural text; cultural history; collective memory;
Summary/Abstract: This paper explores how Ingoma, a dance of the Ngoni of Malawi can be described as an identity marker and a cultural text of the Ngoni. The Ngoni constitute one of the nine major ethnic groups of Malawi. Unlike the other eight ethnic groups, however, the Ngonido do not have a language with which they are identified and use for everyday communication. This is largely due to socio-cultural and political influences that they experienced in the areas they settled. Notwithstanding this aspect of their identity, their dance Ingoma has stood the test of time and continues to be transmitted from one generation to another. Since language is key to the transmission of dance, the paper also examines the implications of transmitting dance in other people’s language. The paper focuses on three main groups of the Ngoni, namely, the M’mbelwaJere found in the north, the MpezeniJere found in the west and the Gomani Maseko in the centre. The Ingoma performances by groups from each of these areas were investigated.
Journal: Acta Ethnographica Hungarica
- Issue Year: 60/2015
- Issue No: 1
- Page Range: 69-76
- Page Count: 8
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF