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Thandeka Mfinyongo: Championing Indigenous African Music at the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence
10.10.2024
The latest artist fellow to arrive at the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence is Thandeka Mfinyongo, an outstanding musician and scholar specialized in preserving and promoting indigenous African music.
Throughout her career, Thandeka Mfinyongo, a gifted South African musician and scholar, has been at the forefront of preserving and promoting indigenous African music. As a master practitioner of traditional Xhosa instruments, her work transcends performance, diving into the realms of education, cultural preservation, and artistic innovation.
A Cultural Ambassador Through Music
Hailing from Nyanga East in Cape Town, Mfinyongo’s journey in music began with a deep connection to her Xhosa heritage. Specializing in traditional instruments such as the uhadi (gourd/calabash bow) and umrhubhe (mouth-bow), her work revives these endangered practices, bringing them into contemporary spaces while respecting their cultural significance. In addition to her expertise in Xhosa instruments, Mfinyongo has also studied the kora, a 21-stringed harp-lute from West Africa, further showcasing her versatility and commitment to African music traditions.
Mfinyongo holds a Master’s degree in Music Performance from SOAS University of London and is currently pursuing a PhD in Ethnomusicology at Rhodes University. Her doctoral research focuses on indigenous African musical traditions, exploring their historical and cultural dimensions.
Fellowship at the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence
On 1 December 2024, Mfinyongo joined the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence as a fellow, sharing her expertise with both the academic and artistic community as well as the interested public. Her fellowship has been instrumental in amplifying African cultural narratives through music, aligning seamlessly with the Cluster’s mission to promote African knowledge systems and artistic practices.
On December 9, 2024, Mfinyongo held a “Meet the Artist” event at Iwalewahaus. During this session, she spoke about her journey as a musician, her commitment to indigenous instruments, and the cultural significance of the uhadi and umrhubhe. The event provided a platform for audiences to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs of preserving traditional African music in a globalized world.
Workshops: Preserving and Reviving the Uhadi
A highlight of Mfinyongo’s fellowship is the upcoming Instrument-Making and Music Workshop Series, set to take place from January 20 to February 4, 2025, at Iwalewahaus. These workshops will focus on the construction and playing of the uhadi, a traditional musical bow integral to Xhosa culture.
Designed for beginners and advanced participants alike, the workshops aim to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern appreciation. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to craft their own uhadi under Mfinyongo’s guidance and learn the intricacies of its soundscapes. The workshops are as much about skill acquisition as they are about fostering a deep respect for indigenous African music and the cultural practices it embodies.
For more information on her work and upcoming workshops and concert, visit the following links: