Song and Gender in Zulu Cultures

Show notes

In this episode recorded at the University of Pretoria, Prof. Nompumelelo Zondi, gives insights into her book on women’s song in rural Zulu culture. She presents an understanding of song as a medium of resistance and resilience, and uses her own voice to share examples.

In conversation with

Nompumelelo Zondi

Nompumelelo Zondi, also known as “Mpume”, is a Vice-Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Free State in South Africa. Prior appointments include: University of Pretoria (Professor and Chairwoman in the Department of African Languages), State University of New York at Albany, and University of Zululand (Associate Professor). Her research engages with gender, performance, literary traditions, and folklore in Zulu and Shona cultures. As an activist, she advocates for women’s and children’s rights such as gender-based inequalities and has published several articles and papers in local and internationally acclaimed journals.
In 2007, Zondi obtained her PhD from the University of KawZulu-Natal which she dedicated to the women of the rural community of Zwelibomvu, near Pinetown. In her monograph “Bahlabelelelani – Why Do They Sing? Gender and Power in Contemporary Women’s Songs” (2023), she reflects on the content and purposes of song as a means to empower women in Zulu society.
University of Pretoria
Book Bahlabelelelani – Why Do They Sing? (2023):
Routledge
University of KwaZulu-Natal Press

References
Umemulo - Traditional Zulu coming-of-age ceremony for women (usually done at the age of 21). The rituals includes the traditional Zulu dance Ukusina, which involves a spear, and guests gifting the young female with money and other blessings.

Credits
Sounds
Singing during the interview by Prof. Zondi
Senzeni Na – University of Pretoria students, conducted by Dr. Michael Barrett (video here)
Visuals
Cover and Portrait: Nompumelelo Zondi, Photo by Layla Zami

Podcast Info
Concept
Dr. Layla Zami, Postdoctoral Researcher in Performance Studies
Producer
Freie Universität Berlin, Collaborative Research Center Intervening Arts
(SFB 1512 Intervenierende Künste, TP B05)
Funded by
German Research Society (DFG)
In Cooperation with
FU Berlin, Institut für Theaterwissenschaft
Eufoniker Audioproduktion