Roots
The Vuvuzela Orchestra and the traditional South African ensembles (Dinaka, Tshikona) that inspired it’s creation are musical representations of the “Ubuntu” principles.
The Nguni proverb “Ubuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu” means that a person becomes human with the help of other humans. An individual can only survive through cooperation with other humans.
What better expression of that principle can there be than a musical ensemble where each player only has one note to play ? This is an absolutely exhilarating experience which was created by human societies many thousands of years ago at the very beginning of humanity to make their communities stronger.
These kudu horns are called Mhalamhala or Icilongo and are the ancestors of the Vuvuzela. Normally in South Africa the horn is played alone but this is a group of six Mhalamhalas playing music together in the Limpompo by interlocking rhythm patterns.
The video below features wonderful performances of the three Southern African African pipe ensembles (Dithlaka, Dinaka and Tshikona) which are the inspiration for the Vuvuzela Orchestra concept.
Click on above Video link.