Nyiko Chris Mathebula,
-snip-
A commenter wrote that this video was recorded in 1994.
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Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision - Feb. 28, 2024
Four YouTube videos of Mokhukhu performances are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the Mokhukhu members of Zion Christian Church. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/01/general-information-about-southern.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "General Information About (Southern Africa's) Zion Christian Church (Article Excerpts)."
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INFORMATION ABOUT ZION CHRISTIAN CHURCHES' MOKHUKHU CHOIRS
Excerpt #1
From http://dictionary.sensagent.com/zion%20christian/en-en/
..."There are several formations within the ZCC which have been created to provide prayer and communion forums for members. The main ones are Mokhukhu, the Female Choir, the Male Choir, the Brass Band, and Nkedi. Mokhukhu is generally regarded by members as the most important of all the groups.
The origins of Mokhukhu
In Sepedi the word mokhukhu means a "shack" or
"shanty." In Zion City Moria - the headquarters of the ZCC - situated
some 40 kilometres (25 mi) east of Polokwane (previously Pietersburg) in the
Limpopo (previously Northern Province) Province, there are many such shacks.3
The manner in which the word mokhukhu came to be applied to a dominant
formation within the ZCC lies in the early history of conflicts within the
church. After Engenas Lekganyane's death in 1948, Joseph, his son and appointed
heir, succeeded him as the leader of the church. However, Joseph's older
brother, Edward, contested this with the help of some church members.
Traditional custom was in his favor as the older brother, for among the Bapedi
the eldest son succeeds his father. It is said that, as a way of intimidating
Joseph's followers, the pro-Edward faction burned the shacks in which Joseph's
supporters lived. When each shack was ablaze, the Edward faction danced and
sang a song containing the words u yasha umkhukhu (a shack is burning). This
song, which was isiZulu, was begun by pro-Edward migrant workers based in what
was then known as the Reef. The dancing pattern they formed eventually became
popular within the branch that the Edward camp established after the conflict
and came to be known as Mokhukhu. The name now refers to both the dance pattern
and to the group that performs the dance."...
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EXCERPT #2
From http://www.atiner.gr/presentations/Simon-Moripe.pdf
AUTHOR: SIMON. MORIPE
MUSIC AND DANCE
• The height of the ZCC calendar is the Annual Easter
pilgrimage to Moriah.
• The Mokhukhu dancers are conspicuous in their uniform and
attract thousands of spectators.
• At Moriah they normally compete against each other, but
not necessary for a prize or a reward.
[...]
On the streets and sidewalks of South Africa, members of
Mokhukhu dance
are instantly recognisable.
• They all wear their white boots, khaki suits, khaki
shirts, black tie, and a
black cap with a silver five-pointed star on the forehead,
with letters ZCC,
sown on a small strip of green baize cloth and proudly pinned to their clothes.
• Mokhukhu simply means a shelter, a place giving protection from danger or a place providing food and accommodation.
• The Mokhukhu musical group is indeed a place of safety
within the structures of the ZCC.
• The communal dance by male adherents involves leaping energetically into air and coming down firmly on both feet, with much jollification and rhythmic movement.
• It is a very rigorous dance.
• These men are able to sing for the whole night with only few intervals for tea and coffee without sugar and milk, which is prayed for.
• Mokhukhu dance is above all a healing dance, epitomizing
the characteristics of sharing and egalitarianism.
• It provides healing in the most generic sense: it may cure a sick body or mind as the healer pulls out sickness by laying on hands; mend the social fabric as the dance promotes social cohesion and a manageable release of hostility.
• Mokhukhu dance is an act of worship.
• The Mokhukhu dance provides an outlet to the emotional expression of religious life and is a powerful means of communication in African traditional life.
• It helps to express fellowship and participation in life.
It also helps to reduce stress and depression."...
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Mosesetjane kosha
Langa Ralph, July 17, 2019
Kosha
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: @ mississippi with Ivory park
mamphi mcdonald,
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4: ZCC mokhukhu Botswana11
Keemisitswe Ngaka, October 2, 2019
Mokhukhu BOTS
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