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Keeping the culture alive
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Times Writer, Keeping the culture alive >>
When Joseph Shabalala started Ladysmith Black Mambazo back in 1960, it was a way to keep his South African culture alive.
He got that and then some.
"It got started to keep the music alive," said Msizi Shabalala, son of the founder. "As time goes on, civilization comes. It seems as if it was going to be lost among the community. It was to preserve it for the coming generations."
However, there was one instance when civilization coming along actually helped to spread the message worldwide.
The group did a radio broadcast in 1970, then Paul Simon came to visit the members in South Africa. He decided to use the group's harmonies on his "Graceland" album. That 1986 album introduced Ladysmith to American audiences.
Since that time the group has performed with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Eric Clapton and The Wynans to name a few.
At the time all this was happening, members of the group had no idea who these people were.
"We didn't even know they existed until we played with them," Shabalala said. "Our leader was born in the wrong era. There were no radios, nothing. You just do it according to community standards. The only influence you see is the cow, you see the goat, you see mother and father and the community."
The group, which includes cousins, sons, uncles and in-laws, plays a type of music called Isicathamiya, which was born in the mines of South Africa. The songs were sung in the work camps by black workers to entertain themselves after a six-day work week.
The name Ladysmith comes from the community the group is from, Ladysmith, South Africa, in the province of KwaZulu.
Since becoming mainstream, the group has picked up a couple of Grammys along the way, including Best Traditional World Music Album this year for "Raise Your Spirit Higher." Their first U.S. album, produced by Simon, "Skaka Zulu," won Best Traditional Folk Album in 1987.
The group received a nomination in 2001 for "Live From Royal Albert Hall" and an Academy Award nomination in 2001 for Best Short Documentary Film for "On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom." The documentary was again nominated in 2002 for Best Cultural Documentary for an Emmy award.
Tip toe is a dance performed by the mine workers as well, choreographed in such a way to not disturb the camp security guards.
The group's latest release, "No Boundaries," is a jazz crossover and strays from its usual a cappella performance. The group teamed up with the English Chamber Orchestra for the CD, its 50th.
When the group travels to Midland Center for the Arts for its March 17 performance, it will be an all a cappella performance, opening with the song "Raise Your Spirit Higher." The evening also includes a performance of the Zulu dance.
"We will teach the audience the dance and songs," Shaba-lala said.
Money raised by the group goes to fund the Music Academy founded by Joseph Shaba-lala to preserve the music. Students study full or part time at the school.
Money also goes to the community.
"It's to assist the community in different ways," Msizi Shabalala said. "Most of the community is very poor."
Shabalala is hoping area residents will turn out to see the group and see a part of South African culture that has been preserved.
"We want people to come together and love one another, to have peace and harmony with each other," he said.
-Pati LaLonde 03/10/05 >> go there
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