Are South African Ukusina (High Kicks) Dances Becoming Westernized?

Sazelo TV, March 5, 2023
-Splits are performed at various times in this video.

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Edited by Azizi Powell
This is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on South African Zulu ukusina dancing.

This post presents information about ukusina dancing, including the cultural significance of that dance and the differences between the traditional attire that females wear for those performances and the contemporary attire that is worn now by female members of ukusina dance troupes.

This pancocojams post also showcases some videos about ukusina dancing that includes the split, a movement that some commenters in certain discussion threads indicates is new to ukusina.

The Addendum to this post showcases some videos and comments about other elements of ukusina that are Westernized (incorporate United States and/or other "Western" cultural movements or elements.

The Addendum also includes some comments that indicate that ukusina resembles certain African American movement arts such as fraternity/sorority stepping, and hip hop majorette dancing. 

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners   

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all the publishers of this videos. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
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These YouTube videos focus on female dancing. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/real-information-about-south-african_19.html and http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/real-information-about-south-african.html for Part I and Part II of a 2015 pancocojams series entitled "REAL Information About South African Ingoma & Indlamu". Part IV of  this series focus on male dancers.

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DISCLAIMER
I'm African American and no nothing about South African dances except what I've watched and read online. Consequently, I'm not sure if that the content of this post actually documents westernized (mostly United States) influences on the way that ukusina (high kick) dances are performed and who performs them.

Additions and corrections are welcome.

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EXCERPT ABOUT ZULU DANCING

https://face2faceafrica.com/article/a-look-at-indlamu-the-famous-zulu-war-dance A look at Indlamu, the famous Zulu war dance

Ama Nunoo

April 15, 2021

The Indlamu dance was derived from the war dances of amabutho (warriors) and it was mainly used to motivate the men before they embarked on their long marches into battles barefoot.

[…]

The most prominent characteristic of the dance is the stomping of feet followed by loud sounds amid heavy izigubhu or drums. The whole ritual dance brings about group solidarity while instilling the traditions of the community in the younger ones.

[…]

It is traditionally performed by two or more dancers or individuals who are decked out in full traditional warrior gear such as amabheshu (loin skins) and embellished with traditional accessories, including head-rings, ceremonial belts, ankle rattles, shields, and weapons like knobkerries and spears.

All the men and boys have to move with specific timing and coordination while maintaining an uncompromised posture.

[…]

The stomps are accompanied by hand gestures following the other. The dancers repeat similar moves while changing the legs and then lifting one leg in the air and falling flat on their backs.

The Indlamu dance resembles that of Ingoma, usually an all-female ceremonial dance with high kicking motions. However, the former is more controlled and calculated as it is meant to show off muscular strength. This is seen in the movement of the weapons used during the dance to stab ‘imaginary enemies’ as would have been done during the war."

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UKUSINA PERFORMANCES WITH SPLITS

SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Ingoma Girls Performance -Zulu Dance

Umkhumbane Performing Arts, May 18, 2023
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A split is performed at 2:09 in this video. 
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Here are some comments about Zulu's ukusina dances including comments about the addition of splits in those performance.

SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: Amaphikankani Zulu dance

Sazelo Tv, January 29, 2023
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Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. @godsfavor1322, 2023
"I still can't figure out what kind of joy do a woman get for standing in one spot with a bunch of other women raising her leg up high as she can in the air and slamming it down on ground...where me stand by watching them raising their legs up over and over and over"

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Reply
2. @siphiwemaphanga9580, 2023
"It's understandable,its not your  culture."

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Reply
3. @thethwayon, 2023
"That's how we traditionally dance and we enjoy that very much"

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Reply
4. @siphiwemaphanga9580, 2023
"I belong to this nation but originally the stretch was never there,its new."

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Reply
5. @Sazelom, 2023
"That is true"

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Reply
6. @xvee6798, 2023
"They is nothing wrong with it. How to define a human from an animal? A human evolve and adapt, so your point is non issue. Well done bantwana be Ngonyama for improvement, its beautiful."

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7. @Piccolo_Sun, 2023
"trust me you have seen nothing wait until they start doing it correctly on the toes 🦶🏾🦶🏾🐾🐾🐾 that is when you should and will be amazed"

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8. @keketsomega8358, 2023
"The split is new that is not original, maybe the tradition also evolve with time."

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Reply
9. @Sazelom, 2023
"It is indeed new"

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10. @CocainintheWH,2023
"That's the same thing cheerleaders do here in the United States.     🙄 "

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ADDENDUM: 
COMMENTS ABOUT UKUSINA PERFORMANCES REMINDING VIEWERS OF CERTAIN AFRICAN AMERICAN MOVEMENT FORMS (such as fraternity/sorority stepping and hip hop majorette dancing)

SHOWCASE VIDEO #4: INDLAMU Kwazulu Natal Best Zulu Dance (Must Watch)

TV YABANTU, Apr 12, 2015
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Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nExzW8NbaZY , TV YABANTU, Apr 12, 2015

1. @kathrynt5899, 2018
"I am a fan of the modern "Majorette/Dancing Dolls", and this reminds me of the type of dance and attitude that they portray during the battles...Love It!"

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2. aries630, 2020
"Its starting to look more and more westernized each year"

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3. @karengarrison4237, 2022
"All the earmarkings and influences seen among the diaspora-- particularly the step shows by fraternities and sororities"

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4. @moraletooane8980, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of4riYLNpNY
"There is a documentary filmed in the early 90s by some Americans in South Africa and the Surrounding countries. Researching about the music and traditional dance. I think some of American dances where inspired by it."

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ADDITIONAL VIDEO AND COMMENTS ABOUT WESTERN INFLUENCES ON SOUTH AFRICA UKUSINA

SHOWCASE VIDEO #5: AWUNGIYEKE SOKA LAM -MY BOYFRIEND LEAVE ME ALONE, 



ayanda madlebe, Mar 30, 2019
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Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. @rupe53, 2019
"Spandex shorts and tops? What has modern society done to tribal tradition?"

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2. @rupe53, 2019
"When did spandex become part of ritual dance costume?"
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Traditionally, females were topless when they danced ukusina. Now (since when?*), female members of ukusina dance troupes wear a sleeveless t-shirt that is usually the color white, or (it appears more often) a bra-like halter top with a very short skirt that is the same as or very similar to American cheerleaders. These outfits are worn with Zulu cultural beaded ornaments. In most of the YouTube videos that I've watched, the members of ukusina dance troupes usually wear sandals. Sometimes a dancer will remove one or both of her sandals. If one sandal is removed, that is the foot that isn't lifted high in the air. 

Here's an excerpt about ukusina from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukusina
"Cultural materials used

The performance and aesthetics of Ukusina Dance incorporate cultural sources. Long-standing customs among the Zulu people call for the incorporation of particular materials of symbolic and cultural significance into their dancing costumes and accessories. These elements not only improve the dance's aesthetic appeal but also showcase the Zulu people's diverse cultural background.[10]

Beads are worn by dancers during a Ukusina Dance performance for a variety of reasons, each with a distinct cultural and symbolic meaning. The Zulu people's culture is more visually represented and given more depth by the use of beads in the dancing costumes. Zulu culture has a strong emphasis on beads, which are also seen frequently in Ukusina Dance. The dancers' costumes, headdresses, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets are all embellished with intricate beadwork. Bright colors, elaborate patterns, and symbolic designs that reflect Zulu tradition and convey particular meanings are frequently used in the beadwork.[11] During the dance, skirts, aprons, and other clothing are made from animal skins, such as those of cows and goats. The Zulu people's reliance on cattle and intimate relationship with nature are represented by these skins. Beadwork and other embellishments are frequently used to decorate animal skins to give cultural importance and aesthetic appeal. In Zulu culture, feathers are used in dance costumes and have spiritual and symbolic significance.[12] They are employed in headpieces, armbands, anklets, and other dancer-wearing accessories. Feathers are thought to link dancers to ancestor spirits, requesting their blessings and presence during the performance. Zulu traditional attire, which reflects the Zulu people's cultural past, is frequently seen in Ukusina Dance performances. Men may wear ibheshu, a long woven skirt, or isikhakha, a skirt made of animal skin. Isidwaba, a wraparound skirt, is acceptable for women.[13]

Cultural significance

For the Zulu people, the Ukusina Dance has great cultural and spiritual significance. It is frequently carried out during significant festivals, ceremonies, and rites of passage, such as weddings, memorial services, and coming-of-age ceremonies. The dance is thought to be a way for living people to communicate with their ancestors to ask for their blessings and protection. The energetic, rhythmic motions of the dance are complemented by singing and music from the Zulu culture. The dancers frequently don vibrant clothing covered with elaborate beadwork, feathers, and other ornamental details as a representation of their cultural identity and heritage.[14]"...

*Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhF7UJN4z3M for a YouTube video of Zulu dancing in 1989. Zulu Dancers .wmv, published by georgswa02, Feb 5, 2011.

That video shows Zulu males and female doing high kick dancing among other scenes. The females are topless and wear one long necklace of different designs but not beaded as is found in later videos of Zulu females. dancers. In that 1989 video all of the women wear a red  skirt that falls right below their knees. They also have what appears to be a plain white or yellow cloth wrap on part of their head and white animal fur coverings tied to part of their legs.

Most of the male dancers and the male drummers also are topless, but wear a large necklace that is made of two largish panels with black and white geometric designs. The men also wear the same length red skirt with the same white animal skin tied to their legs.Most of the men also wear some kind of head covering. 

(Please improve this description.) 

There may be later videos of ukusina dancing on YouTube.

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Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rDfNuE-gZA to read the summary for a January 2023 YouTube video entitled "Zulu Dance And Attire Complications". Here's a part of that summary:
" In the Zulu culture of South Africa, it is traditional for women to dance topless during certain ceremonies and rituals. This practice has a number of cultural and historical significance. [...] Overall, the practice of Zulu women dancing topless is a celebration of femininity, strength, ancestor veneration, and cultural tradition. It is an important part of the Zulu culture and one that is deeply meaningful and significant to those who participate in it." -snip- A number of YouTube videos can be found of the Zulu Reed ceremony and other videos of topless Zulu women participating in traditional Zulu dances and ceremonies. Usually these women wear intricately beaded necklaces and short skirts, although those skirts don't appear to usually be as short as the skirts that women wear who are members of ukusina dance troupes.

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