Othnell Mangoma’s #Footwork, Stomping out Xenophobia & African Misconceptions

Othnell ‘Mangoma’ Moyo, Zimbabwean Percussionist and Ethnomusicologist (the study of music from the cultural and social aspects of the people who make it) is a part of a group called Music According to Percussion (MAP). MAP incorporates vocals inspired by various African cultures in their music including a unique assortment of instruments, from Ndebele harmonies to Shona yodeling.

Through MAP, the concept for ‘Footwork’ was born, fusing all things African,

“We have been in the rehearsal room for the past months preparing for Footwork with MAP…it is very fitting and even commendable that in this day and age, where Tribal hatred and Xenophobia plague our continent…our Art represents the unity that can be achieved in Africa if all tribes work towards it.”– Mangoma 

The ‘Footwork’ event has two parts, the first half is filled with dance music inspired by various African tribes such as the Khoisan and Venda featuring a lot of rhythmic footwork. The second half of the evening will be spent listening to some percussion music.

“Our drum and spirited vocals are sure to get you dancing the night away.” –  Mangoma

Teaching the beauty of heritage and taking the audience to a time before colonialism, ‘Footwork’ might make for an interesting showcase highlighting the Kalanga, Ndebele, Tswana, Venda, Khoisan, and Karanga fostering African resilience at a time when Tribalism, Xenophobia, and hate speech has been forcibly instilled into the masses.

Could it help dispel fear of the unknown?

“We have people who shy from being black and in so doing have lost so many things culturally because a few things tell the beauty of our Culture. Footwork will tell the beautiful yet untold stories of these tribes” Mangoma concluded. 

Footwork, a 90 minute music and dance production will show at Alliance Francaise de Harare  on the 6th of April
For more information about MAP and ‘Footwork’ you can follow this link.