Bambata (music project)
Encyclopedia
For other articles named Bambata, see Bambata (disambiguation)
.
Bambata is a music project in South Africa
which has produced three popular albums, 1906 in 2000, ukhandampondo (poll tax) in 2002, and Abashokobezi 1906–2006 in 2006.
The main forces in this project are Sipho Sithole, director and founder of the Native Rhythms Productions, Philangezwi Bongani Nkwanyana, Mathufela Zuma and Bheki Khoza. They chose the name Bambata for their project in order to honour Bambatha kaMancinza (ca. 1860-1906?)
, a Zulu chief of the amaZondi tribe in the Colony of Natal
(modern Kwazulu-Natal
), who had a large role in a rebellion against the English in 1906
when the poll tax was raised from a tax per hut to per head (£1 tax on all native men older than 18).
The basic idea behing the Bambata project is to fuse Zulu traditional rhythms, amahubo (folk music) and maskanda
guitar with African and mainstream jazz along with elements of hip hop
, rap
, reggae
and kwaito
. For the first two albums Bambata was not a band, but for each album and for many of the individual songs, artists were chosen that could interpret the songs with their individual talents. The third album was more of a group effort, with Philangezwi Bongani Nkwanyana, Mathufela Zuma and Faca
forming the core of the group.
The beginnings of the Bambata go back to 1994, when Sithole and Bongani Nkwanyana met at the Windybrow Arts Festival. Sithole recognised in Bongani Nkwanyana an untapped talent, but the latter did not agree to the project until 1998, when Sithole brought along his cousin, the Maskandi singer and guitarist Mathufela Zuma.
The themes in Bambata songs range from suffering under colonialism and imperialism to social issues such as crime and incarceration.
The initial album Bambata for their album 1906 was nominated for three categories in the South African Music Awards 2001: Best Newcomer, Best Zulu Music, and Best Adult Contemporary Album: African. Sipho Sithole was also nominated for Best Producer.
Bhambatha (disambiguation)
Bhambatha may refer to:*Bhambatha, Bambatha kaMancinza , a Zulu chief of the amaZondi clan in the Colony of Natal, a leader in the Bambatha Rebellion....
.
Bambata is a music project in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
which has produced three popular albums, 1906 in 2000, ukhandampondo (poll tax) in 2002, and Abashokobezi 1906–2006 in 2006.
The main forces in this project are Sipho Sithole, director and founder of the Native Rhythms Productions, Philangezwi Bongani Nkwanyana, Mathufela Zuma and Bheki Khoza. They chose the name Bambata for their project in order to honour Bambatha kaMancinza (ca. 1860-1906?)
Bhambatha
For other articles named Bhambatha, see Bhambatha .Bambata or Bambatha kaMancinza , also known as Mbata Bhambatha, was a Zulu chief of the amaZondi clan in the Colony of Natal and son of Mancinza...
, a Zulu chief of the amaZondi tribe in the Colony of Natal
Colony of Natal
The Colony of Natal was a British colony in south-eastern Africa. It was proclaimed a British colony on May 4, 1843 after the British government had annexed the Boer Republic of Natalia, and on 31 May 1910 combined with three other colonies to form the Union of South Africa, as one of its...
(modern Kwazulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
), who had a large role in a rebellion against the English in 1906
Bambatha Rebellion
The Bambatha Uprising was a Zulu revolt against British rule and taxation in Natal, South Africa, in 1906. The revolt was led by Bambatha kaMancinza The Bambatha Uprising was a Zulu revolt against British rule and taxation in Natal, South Africa, in 1906. The revolt was led by Bambatha kaMancinza...
when the poll tax was raised from a tax per hut to per head (£1 tax on all native men older than 18).
The basic idea behing the Bambata project is to fuse Zulu traditional rhythms, amahubo (folk music) and maskanda
Maskanda
Maskanda is a kind of Zulu folk music that is evolving with South African society. describes it as "The music played by the man on the move, the modern minstrel, today’s troubadour. It is the music of the man walking the long miles to court a bride, or to meet with his Chief; a means of transport...
guitar with African and mainstream jazz along with elements of hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
, rap
Rap
Rap may refer to:*Rapping, performance in which rhyming lyrics are used, with or without musical accompaniment ; while an MC performs spoken verses in time to a beat/ melody**Hip hop subculture**Hip hop music...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
and kwaito
Kwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music featuring the use of African sounds and samples. Typically at a slower tempo range than other styles of house music, Kwaito often contains catchy melodic and percussive loop samples,...
. For the first two albums Bambata was not a band, but for each album and for many of the individual songs, artists were chosen that could interpret the songs with their individual talents. The third album was more of a group effort, with Philangezwi Bongani Nkwanyana, Mathufela Zuma and Faca
FACA
FACA may be:* Federal Advisory Committee Act, a United States statute* Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas* Military of the Central African Republic, les Forces armées centrafricaines* Fiji Cycling Association...
forming the core of the group.
The beginnings of the Bambata go back to 1994, when Sithole and Bongani Nkwanyana met at the Windybrow Arts Festival. Sithole recognised in Bongani Nkwanyana an untapped talent, but the latter did not agree to the project until 1998, when Sithole brought along his cousin, the Maskandi singer and guitarist Mathufela Zuma.
The themes in Bambata songs range from suffering under colonialism and imperialism to social issues such as crime and incarceration.
The initial album Bambata for their album 1906 was nominated for three categories in the South African Music Awards 2001: Best Newcomer, Best Zulu Music, and Best Adult Contemporary Album: African. Sipho Sithole was also nominated for Best Producer.
Discography
- 2000: 1906
- 2002: ukhandampondo (poll tax)
- 2006: Abashokobezi 1906–2006