“AMAWUMBO” ZIMBABWE DANCE COMPANY:culture is our pride

Africa and its colours, Africa and its landscapes, Africa and its music, Africa and its dances.

 

For a long time the continent make people want to discover it; explorers in the  XXIII th century or travelers in the XX th.

 

How better introduice somebody to a country than travelling through its culture, with its music and its dances.

 

“Amawumbo” are dancers from Zimbabwe, a central Africa country, close to Zambia , Mozambique , Botswana and  South Africa. This country for some weeks hold central stage with an epidemic of cholera and a worrisome political situation but it has so many other things to learn us.

 

Alexander is the leader of this group; his name with English consonance ,bring in it the history of his country which was a British colony practising the apartheid when it was called Rhodésie and which  acquired its political independence in 1980. 

This summer, coming back from a show the group of dancers “amawumbo” had just given, the heart still filled with the history of Africa which had taken place through the dances and the head filled with the rhythm of drums I was not able to stop myself to share with you writing some words, this pleasure which had invaded me by paying attention and looking at them on stage. I did not imagine that some monthes later I would have the pleasure to share moments of Alexander Mhlang’s life,the creator of this group, actually in suede to give a new dimension to his company.

Alexander, you were born to Bulawayo the second city of Zimbabwe in spring, 1978 , in one of these township that the apartheid , which raged then in your country, spread out on the South of the African continent. Speak about your childhood.

I grew up in a township called njube and i went to helemu primaru scchool and for my secondary education I went to Mpopoma high school 

 

 Amawoubo ” already carries in its name the soul of Africa . what the meaning of this word ?

Amawumbo means power to make it in life

you created this group 9 years ago , can you explain why and when this idea come into your thoughts ?
in 2000 you were students , you wanted to be a dancer or it’s by a stroke of luke that you choice this job

friends invited me to come and watch them dance, as soon as l stepped in the room, the music and the drums where playing ,it hit me in my heart and touched my soul in a very big way so the next day l went back to join a group ,at that in 1995, called young warriors led by the late Norman Takawira.

I learnt a lot ,studying african dance from different regions in Zimbabwe and toured locally,then in 1997 ,l was also a founder member of Umkhathi theatre Works a household name in the arts in zimbabwe. We became powerful back home, so we started projects in grassroots level to teach younger people performing arts , so l was teaching Njube high school and they had anti aids awareness club, so l was teaching drama ,music and dance ,and one time came a schools competition so l did a choreography for them and they came first and l would arrange shows in weddings and private parties ;
it was then l discovered my talents and the power of our culture so after others finished school and wanted to continue . When l looked in my community , they were lots of drop outs from school and some falling pregnant ,drugs and illness  ,so l thought to make a dance company that will make these guys discover themselves ,and give them hope so l drive them away from crime and poverty;So in year 2000 I professionally formed Amawumbo Dance Company
And it we got a big following it has members up to 50 members part time and
full time we have junior policy as well ,then when it is time for tour l select the cast for that tour during our tour we also collect clothes and kind to give back to the communities back home ,it has given them hope and life to see their bright future,Amawumbo have graced places like england,sweden,greenland ,germany ,france ,belguim,south africa,botswana,zambia;

We have also worked with people from usa,gambia,france,england,australia,canada and more
We strive to make it a worth while even without sponsor or funding ,l have fought in my belief that l will do it and show the best in our people create employment for then in a very artistical way  culture is our pride

 i work with different cast depending on the work ,we also do workshops

my next project is called amandla esikolakwethu it means in english in the spirit of our living traditions ,it is a dvd compilation ,the videos ,are going to be shot in our places of wonders like great zimbabwe,nyanga, matopos and victoria falls to mention but a few ,these a heritage sites of zimbabwe and l believe it is going to be a good project
but l have no funding for it that is why l came to sweden to raise this money before the summer of our tour
it is not easy but l will fight not give up

if only we can find generous people who want to help amawumbo
financially it will be easy to make our dreams come true

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexander speaks africaaner and  english ,but  my english is not good enough to correct what he says to me cause i’m afraid to give some faults more  …

thanks to you if you correct this text by adding right sentences in the com …

~ by ysoj on January 4, 2009.