Marimba band entertainment at South Africa Freedom Day celebrations
The 27th of April, 1994, was the day the first democratic election was held in South Africa. Ever since, it's been a day of celebration, as South Africans mark the liberation of their country and its people from a long period of colonialism and apartheid.
We were really pleased to have been invited to perform at Acklam Village Market to commemorate Freedom Day with the South African community in London.
We gave the audience two sets of music. The first was a more traditional, drumming set, with singing and dancing, and included songs like Shosholoza and liberation struggle song, Oliver Tambo Theta NoBotha.
We then brought in the marimbas for our second set, which really got the crowd going. We covered Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Mahotella Queens and Beatenberg to name a few. The tunes went down a huge treat!
Here are some videos from the night.
South African Liberation song Oliver Tambo Tetha noBotha
Our marimba cover of Brenda Fassie's Weekend Special
Xhosa wedding song, Qongqothwane, made famous by Miriam Makeba and commonly known as Click Song
If you wish to read more on South Africa Freedom Day and what it's all about, you can find some more information here.
-- ABOUT OTTO AND THE MUTAPA CALLING --
Otto and The Mutapa Calling is a lively London based marimba band playing energetic, joyful music from Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, including folk songs, original songs and popular southern African covers. The band's set-up includes soprano, tenor and baritone marimbas, mbira, hosho, drumming and singing, with both traditional and contemporary dances. The marimba band’s sound is full of energy and pulsating rhythms - and their music shares the rich cultures, histories and stories of the people of southern Africa. Otto and The Mutapa Calling is a unique and colourful experience and is the only active professional marimba band of its kind in the United Kingdom.
www.ottogumaelius.com
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