mbube, noun
- Forms:
- Also with initial capital.
- Origin:
- IsiZuluShow more IsiZulu, vocative of imbube lion (plural izimbube); so named after the title of a song in this style, composed by Solomon Linda and recorded in 1939 by his group ‘The Evening Birds’, which became very popular both in South Africa and abroad (where it was adapted and given the name ‘Wimoweh’).
Music
A style of male choral music, usually unaccompanied, combining traditional Zulu song with hymns and American gospel music, often featuring the vocal style known as bombing, and performed to slow, synchronized dance movements patterned after Zulu regimental dancing; ingoma busuku; isicathamiya. Also attributive.
- Note:
- The style first emerged during World War I; the ‘bombing’ element was apparently introduced during World War II.
c1948 H. Tracey Lalela Zulu p.x‘Mbube’ songs..are composed upon the slightest of lyrics. But this does not matter. They are designed to show off the immaculate suitings and the fine team-work of the half-dozen or so young men who..strut archly to and fro across the stage.
1991 N. Mbatha in Pace Feb. 28I used to go with my father to single male hostels over the weekends. He was an ardent mbube follower. I would accompany him to mbube sessions, which exposed me to praise-poetry.
A style of male choral music, usually unaccompanied, combining traditional Zulu song with hymns and American gospel music, often featuring the vocal style known as bombing, and performed to slow, synchronized dance movements patterned after Zulu regimental dancing; ingoma busuku; isicathamiya. Also attributive.
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