Heads were turned in the Northumberland market town of Morpeth when a group of singing and dancing Zulu’s in full traditional tribal costume entertained astonished shoppers.The Lions of Zululand will be playing at the town’s Riverside Lodge on May 9th and decided to visit Morpeth to let locals know about their distinctive sound, complex dance routines and colourful appearance.
Formed more than five years ago by Mduduzi Mkize with young people from very disadvantaged communities in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, the Lions of Zululand have developed magnificent harmonies and complex dance routines from their Zulu tradition. The music of the Lions of Zululand is called Amahubo and was popularised by migrant mine workers who were forcefully uprooted from their rural areas by the previous apartheid regime. During their spare time in the gold mines, to entertain themselves, and to remind themselves of their families back in their rural home, they would stage acapella competitions which involved numerous groups.
The highly skilled performers benefit enormously from performing and enjoy sharing their culture with a growing and enthusiastic audience in the UK. The group have performed in hundreds of schools in the US, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, as well as churches, theatres and corporate events. Previuosly, they were invited to perform in the presence of HRH Prince Charles in Southwark Cathedral, London.
The group have been performing in the UK for five years, delivering their stage show and workshops in dance, singing, culture and art in hundreds of north east schools to thousands of young people of all ages.
Liz Durning form the Riverside Lodge was very impressed with the sneak preview of the show. “This promises to be one of the most colourful and dramatic stages shows we’ve seen in Morpeth. It will be a tremendous night for all of the family,” she said.
For information and tickets Tel Stephen on 0789 539 2257 or 0191 2842214 Email:- lionsofzululandbookings@yahoo.co.uk
