WOMAD

Shikisha

From South Africa

Zulu trio Shikisha – the name means “belt it out, dance and sing like you never have before” – have been delighting WOMAD audiences for many years with their combination of deft footwork, soaring vocals and good humour.The trio, originally from Durban in South Africa, met in London and since forming in 1981 have toured around the world, often working with other musicians such as the township group Zabalaza. They’ve also appeared with Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba, and even made a single with David Essex (which is not as surprising as it sounds – Essex has had a long interest in the developing world, and was an unofficial UN ambassador for a while). Julie Mathumjwa, the founder of Shikisha, trained as a model, then, in 1973, joined the cast of Umabatha, the black version of Macbeth. She then joined the Ipi Tombi troupe in London and worked in the West End until she formed Shikisha with Purity ‘Sindy’ Sange and Pauline Hawthorne.Shikisha’s stage specialities include a version of the gumboot dance, developed among the gold miners of Johannesburg. These men came from so many tribal traditions that they needed a form of entertainment that all could take part in – dance was the answer, with the boots being used as drums in a dance that combines protest and communication.As well as being excellent singers, Shikisha are renowned for their costumes. The beaded dresses they wear come from the Zulu tradition, where beadwork is intricate and symbolic, with different designs having particular meanings and associations for tribal, religious and social groups. They often run workshops to demonstrate this art, and allow audiences a chance to make their own.In 1996, Shikisha signed a European record deal with Sony, producing their debut album ‘Belt It Out’ as well as a single – a version of the Sex Pistols’ ‘Pretty Vacant’ which Julie knew from her time in London in the seventies. “I understood the energy,” she says. “All I had to do was sing and belt it out.”