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Zulu Tradition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zulu Tradition:
From Kwa-Zulu Natal to the world's stage, rekindling the spark of Zulu culture and heritage, through song, dance, drama and drums.

"They were completely amazing and totally wowed Shrewsbury on Saturday!!" - Shrewsbury Morris

 

"I saw Zulu Tradition last night at Chinley. I t was a packed house and they were fantastic! 
So brilliantly musical and rhythmic, electric personalities and very inspirational. Everyone loved them."
- Lynne Knowling

Led and managed by Thandanani Gumede, ZULU Tradition, is also an educational performance company, using song, dance and drama and grounded firmly in the curriculum of Africa's rich history and the established paradigms of Zulu philosophy. It's a 'fairtrade' company run by Zulus for Zulus.Go to: The Zulu Educational Workshops page for more information

"Just wanted to say a big thank you to the Zulu stars, Thandanani, Zama, Mzwandile, Buhle, Khethukuthula and Paul for their wonderful performances for the public during Mandela Day at the British Museum. Many thanks especially for being so generous with their time to allow the visitors to be photographed with them."
- Hilary Williams, The British Museum, London.

"Oh my GOD what a beautiful night was had by all in a small village of Chinley Derbyshire with this act. Being from South Africa myself it was very very very emotional. I just wanted to say thank you thank you thank you to them all. I wanted to invite them back to my home to party all night. Please thank them from me." - Leonie Gater

"I saw Zulu Tradition last night at Chinley, it was a packed house and they were fantastic!  So brilliantly musical and rhythmic, electric personalities and very inspirational, everyone loved them." Lynne Knowling

Zulu - In the Jungle from Ian Kenton on Vimeo
Flmed at Wallingford Festival

Imagine a youthful, mixed gender, Ladysmith Black Mambazo with high-energy dance. ZULU Tradition is company of genuine young Zulu singers and dancers who deliver a heady mix of traditional African harmonies and high-energy, athletic dance - all traditionally costumed - and supported by drum-rhythms. Their stage shows are exciting, enthralling and hugely entertaining and they attract enthusiastic audiences.

The concert was spectacular! - Plas Machynnleth, Wales
(Sponsored by Night Out / Arts Council of Wales)

 

Zulu Tradition at Shrewsbury Beats and Bells day of dance, June 2015

Zuklu Tradition at Shrewsbury 2015

Zulu at Shrewsbury

 

British Museum

'I have just been to a fantastic gig at Quarndon Church Hall with Zulu and my mind is now racing of how to get to see them again and also bring them to my kids' primary school.' - Sally Wallwin

From prestigious events at Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, The Red Cross gala at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and the South African High Commission in London, to community events at your local school, this vibrant company of Zulus reaches back into the past to preserves ancient skills while stretching forwards to contemporary Africa. Direct from Durban in KwaZulu Natal, are not only great concert performers, but also excellent communicators who can deliver outdoor performances for special events, festivals, summer-seasons, galas and even weddings. They also offer a range of educational workshops for young people of all ages and abilities.

 

Zulu at Wallingford"ZULU Tradition really helped to bring the South Africa theme and atmosphere to our event. They got the audience really engaged with the music and really brought the evening alive, whilst being extremely flexible with our timings and requirements. I would highly recommend Zulu Tradition to other event organisers and will definitely keep them in mind for all future events." Suzanne Ryder Richardson for British Red Cross event at South African High Commission

A typical show from ZULU encompasses:
Maskandi (indigenous Zulu music); traditional song & dance compilations comprising of Zulu psalms (AMAHUBO); traditional songs (AMACULO ESINTU); and various genres of traditional dance (i.e. iINGOMA, UMZANSI, ISIGENYANE, NENDLAMU) plus visual arts - costume and beadwork. They place great value on the oral relaying of information from the older generation to the youngest (UKUTHAMUNDWA)

Choosing peace is not an act of cowardice, but the manifestation of wisdom.

Zulu for Festivals
Information for Artistic Directors and programmers

Zulu is a young, multi-telented and versatile company. They present a powerful main-stage show combining song and dance with drums. They are also happy to do outdoor (unamplified) song and dance performances (street or 'field' entertainment) and workshops for young people and adults. They are easy to work with and all of them speak English. They'll work with adults, children or family groups, outdoors or indoors. They aren't stingy with their time, often taking extra time after a show for photographs and to talk to people individually (and even do impromptu teaching sessions if someone asks a relevant question). Festivals get great value out of this amazing act on so many levels.

Whatever your festival there will be many opportunities for audience interaction. Zulu gathers admirers from across all age ranges with their rhythmic percussion, vibrant dance and soul-stirring harmony singing.

Zulu Trad at Shrewsbury 2015 Zulu Trad at Shrewsbury 2015  
Zulu Trad at Shrewsbury 2015 Zulu Trad at Shrewsbury 2015  

Zulu at Bunkfest. Photo by Dave Hemming

"Powerful traditional splendour of dance sequences accompanied by pulsating Zulu drums and glorious vocal harmonies. Guaranteed to hold any audience spellbound."

Festival, educational and community workshops

See our main educational workshop page for details of possible workshop sessions. These can all be adapted for either festivals, schools or corporate days fostering team spirit.

In addition to the festival performance and workshops themselves ZULU are experienced educators with a diverse programme of educational workshops and many years experience of delivering them as part of a cohesive festival outreach programme. Talk to us about one-off workshops or a schools residency leading up to your festival.

Workshops encourage:
* Diversity awareness
* Breaking down the barriers surrounding prejudice
* Ethnic, religious and racial equality
* Community building
* International understanding leading to local benefits

ZULU Tradition offers a total cultural experience!

Mighty Zlu Nation