Browse Items (74 total)

Description: The group plays an opening song with drums and a marimba (xylophone). The fast-paced playing and the short length of the song are meant to appeal to American/ European audience members who may not want to view longer performances that feature a slow…

Segment: 0:04:22 -- 0:08:00

Segment ID: Event0001_Scene0002

Transcription:

Description: This ngoma is called 'Mapiku' and is meant to prepare children for circumcision. The rhythms and dances are from the Makonde people who live in the Mtwara region of the country. The dancers of this ngoma are meant to be scary or threatening so as to…

Segment: 0:08:00 -- 0:14:02

Segment ID: Event0001_Scene0003

Transcription:

Description: This ngoma, 'Mangaka' is a famous courting song from the Wamwera peoples of Lindi, Tanzania. The story-like dance of Simba Theatre shows the way men in traditional socieities would find a fiancee by following them to the fields or to the well to…

Segment: 0:13:02 -- 0:24:22

Segment ID: Event0001_Scene0004

Transcription:

Description: In this sketch, two male dancers explore and find a place where food is stored. They then dance to celebrete the food that they found.

Segment: 0:24:22 -- 0:28:59

Segment ID: Event0001_Scene0005

Transcription:

Description: This part of the ngoma is based on the Maasai rhythms and dances, particularly the portion of the song where the male dancers jump straight in the air. The dance is performed during celebrations for having children, a good harvest, or new livestock.…

Segment: 0:28:59 -- 0:32:53

Segment ID: Event0001_Scene0006

Transcription:

Description: In the beginning of this ngoma, four women bring fire on the stage. The fire symbolizes a tradition of asking for a blessing. They turn to all the corners (North, South, East, and West) to ask god for the blessing even though, as James Mbunju put…

Segment: 0:32:53 -- 0:40:44

Segment ID: Event0001_Scene0007

Transcription:

Description: James Mbunju speaks to the audience briefly before entering into the last part of the performance.

Segment: 0:40:44 -- 0:41:06

Segment ID: Event0001_Scene0008

Transcription:

Description: The Bugobogobo ngoma is from the Sukuma peoples of Mwanza, Tanzania. More specifically the ngoma originates from the Ntusu region, but was taught to some of the members of Simba Theatre while they were students at the Bagamoyo College of Art (Chuo…

Segment: 0:41:06 -- 0:50:23

Segment ID: Event0001_Scene0009

Transcription:

Description: The last ngoma is called Sindimba from Mtwara, Tanzania. It is performed, similar to the 'Bugobogobo' dance, to show the dancers excitment at receiving a good harvest. This is a more particpatory style dance where drummers and audience members join…

Segment: 0:50:23 -- 1:01:08

Segment ID: Event0001_Scene0010

Transcription:

Description: Simba Theatre ends their performance, and pulls the drums off the stage.

Segment: 1:01:08 -- 1:02:28

Segment ID: Event0001_Scene0011

Transcription: