Traditional Dance

Last night we were brought into part of the village and saw for the first time how the Xhosa people live. We drove in on the very rocky local roads, off the road, onto a grass pathway and stopped when we there was nothing left resembling a road. Then we walked down and around a few hills until we reached a set of Rodewels, mud and brick huts covered by thached roofs. We were indeed far away from home.

Upon our arrival we were invited into the larger Rondewel and treated to a traditional dance by 8 woman dressed in traditional attire. They are a local dance group, that dance and sing Xhosa folk songs to very fast paced drum beats. Between songs, our translator told us what each song meant and what the movements of the dance signified. Inside the Rondewel it was dark and lit only by candellight and the occasional camera flash.

After the show, we were invited into a second Rodewel that was the home of our host. As we spoke through our translator to two of the dancers there were food preparations being made, a few dogs coming and going and a child sneaking food from a clay pot on the floor. The ladies, M.Takayi and another, nicknamed Elsa spoke about their desire to bring dance to a larger audience and how hard it was to make a living in the village. There has been land designated by the Chief to build a center to showcase such local cultural customs as these dancers, but there is no money to do so.

We enjoyed our stay immesely and after sharing their talents with us, we all shared a cup of their homemade beer.