Happy to be part of xigubu

     Dance & Culture

“We are happy to be involved in xigubu, because it keeps us busy and away from the violent world of drug abuse and crime.”

Those were the words of one youth, Caiphus Maswanganyi, who is a member of Xigubu xa ka Maphophe, at Maphophe village near Punda Maria. Xigubu is a xiTsonga traditional dance troupe, where participants wear special animal attire, beat animal-skin drums, sing and dance in unison.

“Loko u cina xigubu, wa rivala hi swilo hinkwaswo u kuma ku tsaka (When you dance xigubu you forget about all other things and feel very joyful),” said Caiphus, who joined Xigubu xa ka Maphophe during its formation some eight years ago.

The brains behind Xigubu xa ka Maphophe, the 45-year-old Mr Mahowa Mabale, said that he had decided to start the xigubu and turn it into a youth-platform initiative after he realised that most youths remained idle during after-school hours.

“I wanted to keep them busy with a positive activity, and one that will keep them together and busy while they remain within the village and within reach when their parents need them,” he said. “And since I had loved and danced xigubu from an early age, I brought together some youths and trained them. They are excellent now.”

Mabale said that they performed at weddings, churches and other related events for a nominal fee. “We are able to raise some money through our performances. We use that very money to get some school uniforms for the needy children in the village. At the end of the day we are left with nothing in our treasury. However, we are happy that we are doing something good and positive in helping build up our community.”

However, Xigubu xa ka Maphophe, which boasts nearly 30 youths from both primary and secondary school levels, still faces financial challenges. “We need attire, drums and transport for all our members,” Maphophe said. “But a lack of such necessities won't pull us down - we will keep on giving our clients quality performances.”

At the end of each year, Xigubu xa ka Maphophe invites the parents of all the members and the local chief for a free performance and feast. “To us it is only small way of saying thank you to our chief and parents,” he said.

Those interested in Xigubu xa ka Maphophe can contact Maphophe at 083 751 5519.

Entertainment - Date: 09 October 2015

Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

Email: [email protected]