A Study Of Sipelu Music And Dance Among The Masubia People Of The Zambezi Region Of Namibia

Abstract

This study examined Sipelu music and dance among the Masubia people of the Zambezi region of Namibia. The main objective of the study was to determine the meaning and beliefs attached to Sipelu music and dance. It also investigated how Sipelu music and dance-related to other Masubia cultural elements. The study, furthermore, explored how the Masubia people managed to preserve and transmit Sipelu music and dance knowledge and practice within their community. Interviews were conducted in the Zambezi region with four Sipelu dance groups comprising group leaders, costume makers, song makers and dancers. Photos and video clips of the singing and dancing were also taken to strengthen/validate observations. The main findings reveal that Sipelu music and dance are social activities that takes place throughout the year at different social gatherings in the community. The dance is performed by the dance groups for the King at his palace or when he visits the communities in their villages. Dancing also takes place at weddings, political rallies, beer parties or school meetings but never at a funeral. Each Sipelu group composes its own songs, making its repertoire completely unique from the other dance groups. The composed songs and dances symbolise unity, always addressing social issues in the community. The songs and dances mainly express happiness, sadness, praise or social comments. The dance groups admitted that Sipelu was slowly becoming extinct, hence their efforts to teach the dance to school learners, as well as out-of-school youth. Although Sipelu is mostly practised among the Masubia, it was discovered that the Mafwe people, in the neighbouring kingdom, also practised the same dance. The study finally revealed that Sipelu was not just a dance, but a significant, respected and well-structured cultural practice of the Masubia people of Namibia