Gwijo Avenue, June 18, 2022
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Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents information about amagwijo ("gwijo") andfocuses on the custom of singers rubbing their hand in a circular manner followed by a hand clap while singing gwijo.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composers of these songs and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks to all those who are featured in these showcases videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/09/what-do-xhosa-south-africa-words-gwijo.html for a pancocojams post on this subject entitled "What Does The IsiXhosa (South African) Words "Amagwijo" & "Igwijo" Mean?".
Also, click the "gwijo" tag below for additional pancocojams posts on that music genre.
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*The spelling "gwijos" ['gwijo" with an s" at the end] is an English language plural form of that Xhosa word.". "AmaGwijo" is the Xhosa plural form for "gwijo" Although the word "gwijos" is incorrect in isiXhosa, I've seen it used in a number of YouTube discussion thread comments about a particular gwijo or about more than one gwijo. Consequently, I sometimes use the word "gwijos" in pancocojams posts on this subject.
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INFORMATION ABOUT AMAGWIJO (GWIJO)
Excerpt #1
From https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/188774534.pdf [1981 University of Wits dissertation "The Music Of The Xhosa-Speaking People Of South Africa" by Deirdre Doris Hansen, page 60;
"The Marching songs iingoma zokuhamba) which identify the various social groups and many of which are called amagwijo ( their words express and emphasize group sentiments and loyalty), are often the result of group composition" -snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note: This quote is from a 1981 dissertation whose fieldwork was in 1969-1972.A longer excerpt of this passage is given in the pancocojams post whose link is found above **** Excerpt #2 From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BwIgH7lisI&ab_channel=SABCNews Understanding the Gwijo Squad movement
SABC Digital News, Sep 6, 2019
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: This is my transcription of a brief portion of this televised discussion (at around 1:46 to around 3:40 of this video). Additions and corrections are welcome.]
(Interviewer) -"So you're here to tell us about amagwijo. It's more than what we see in the stadiums, it's a rich tradition. Amigwijo is a Xhosa tradition. Tell us more about it"
Chulumanco Macingwane (C.M.) [chairman of the Gwijo Squad]: "The word igwijo is a Xhosa word, but the practice of gwijo, the singing of these traditional songs that take the form of a leader and respondents is something that is completely ubiquitous in the country. It exists in every single one of our cultures which is why it resonates so much with people of all cultures. " "
****DISCLAIMER:
I am an African American who only knows information about South African culture from reading online and offline and from watching YouTube vidoes.
Additions and corrections are very welcome for these descriptions.
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DESCRIPTION OF THIS CIRCULAR RUBBING HAND MOTION
1. folding your hands up in the prayer gesture
2. moving your folded hands down slightly above the center of your waist with the hands facing away from your body
3. rub the palm of one hand in the palm of your other hand in a circular motion; This rubbing motion usually occurs about three or four times. Maintain a medium tempo (neither fast or slow).
This rubbing motion doesn't make any sound.
4. Follow this circular rubbing hand motion with a hand clap (or, less often with a fast sequence of claps)
Judging from YouTube gwijo videos that I have watched, this rubbing motion doesn't seem to be done except in combination with individual hand clapping (when a person claps his or her own hands). Also, I've watched a few gwijo videos where singers didn't do this circular rubbing motion
As indicated in Deirdre Doris Hansen's 1981 dissertation on Xhosa music that is cited above, hand
As such, the circular hand rubbing motion that is combined with hand clapping doesn't occur at the beginning of these songs, and as is the case with other amaXhosa music, the hand clapping-and therefore the circular rubbing motion as well as any other hand motions-stops before the song ends.
Read the comments that are found immediately below for speculation about why this rubbing custom occurs while singing gwijos.
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YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THEAD COMMENTS ABOUT THE CUSTOM OF GWIJO SINGERS RUBBING THEIR HANDS IN A CIRCULAR MOTION FOLLOWED BY A HAND CLAP
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoYzaYLQ_jI&t=85s [discussion thread comments for the video that is given as Showcase #2 below]
"Hi everyone ! Firstly, just know that your songs are listened to as far as France 😊! Just one question though: What is the meaning of « rubbing » hands while singing? Thank you and keep bringing so many different emotions through what I call the STRENGTH of music 💪🏾🫶🏽"
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Reply
2. @lihlezingitwa3511, 2023
"They make the song more interesting"
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Reply
3. @flyvourseptembernyathi4012,2023
"It helps keep the rhythm"
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I wrote a comment a few weeks ago reiterating @haja70's interest in this custom and asking for more information. No other replies have been added thus far.
It just occurs to me that the comment that that rubbing motion makes the song more interesting might mean that it makes the performance more interesting to watch. I definitely agree with that.
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ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS THAT INCLUDES THIS RUBBING MOTION
These examples are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Cellular 🎥📱🔥🔥ishoooooo mntanami [Cellular (cell phones) Said My Baby"
Gwijo Avenue, Feb 2, 2022 ALEXANDRA
STADIUM
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - Bamthathile Ubaby | The day we discovered Jomo the Raw Gem💎😭😭😭 [They took ubaby]
Gwijo Avenue - June 18, 2022
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - Bambulele uNomathemba [They killed Nomathemba]
Gwijo Squad, Jul 5, 2018
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - asinalo uvalo thina gwijo🙏🏽❤❤ [We have no fear]
Izimboza6242, Jul 16, 2022
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #6 - Thina Siyazalana Gwijo Song [We are related]
ACAPELLA SOUTH AFRICA, Apr 6, 2023
#acapellaRSA #Gwijowave #GwijoLiyaphilisa
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #7 - Ngiyosebenza kanzima Gwijo🙏🏿❤ [I will work hard]
Izimboza6242, Oct 16, 2023
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Visitor comments are welcome.
I'm interested in knowing more about this custom of rubbing the palms of your hands followed by clapping your hands. For instance, is this custom done ifor other Xhosa music besides gwijos? Also, is (or was) this custom done elsewhere in Africa or elsewhere throughout the world?
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