Traditional music and dance
As each ethnic group has its own musical traditions, it's easy to draw up a musical map of Namibia. In the north, a territory made up of predominantly rural regions, music often fulfils a social function. For example, among the Ju'/hoansi - the San people - there are particularly impressive healing songs in which the voices are accompanied by an ensemble of drums and hand-clapping. In the same region, ondjongo, the Himba wedding dance with its complex rhythms and strong hand-clapping, is also practiced. In the central regions, where the capital Windhoek is located, one can hear boeremusiek, Afrikaner ball music (a remnant of the colonial era), also present in South Africa and notably played on the concertina (a type of accordion). Among the Nama communities, the Nama stap dance is a traditional practice that is essential to their identity. Performed in a circle and calling for slippery, floating steps, nama stap is very courteous and pleasant to observe. Finally, among the Herero, it is customary for women to sing and dance the outjina during wedding ceremonies. As for instruments, most ethnic groups accompany their traditional songs with percussion instruments such as drums, kalimba (thumb piano), harps or otjihumba, a mouth bow held between the teeth and struck with a wooden stick.
An excellent way to get a broad overview of traditional Namibian music is to listen to the recordings of the University of Namibia Choir, renowned for its interpretations of traditional Namibian music in different languages. A small local success that has enabled the choir to take part in several festivals around the world, putting Namibian music in the spotlight. Otherwise, when visiting the country, traditional music and dance often accompany evenings in camps such asEtosha Safari Camp, located 10 km from Anderson Gate, orOnkoshi, nestled inside Etosha Park.
Popular music
Popular music styles also vary according to ethnic group and region. Among the Herero people, for example, we find oviritje, inspired by traditional music and sung in Otjiherero. Originally vocal, oviritje was modernized in the 1960s by Kareke Henguva, a great innovator who introduced the keyboard. After him, the genre was popularized by groups such as The Wild Dogs and their hit Kaondeka, then by Bullet ya Kaoko, a group from Opuwo who gave it a second lease of life by infusing it with the groove of kwaito (South African rap). Another popular genre, ma/gaisa - better known as damara punch - is music derived from the damara tradition and mainly sung in khoekhoegowab. Phura Duwe, the genre's inventor, is de facto considered the king of ma/gaisa. Other beloved artists in this category are Stanley, Dixon and Damara Dikding. Finally, among the Oshiwambo-speaking people, shambo is the dance music par excellence. Created in the late 1990s by Yoba Valombola, Setson and their group Mighty Dread Band, the genre blends traditional Oshiwambo music - at the time widely popularized by guitarists such as Kwela and Kangwe Keenyala - with other Namibian styles and sings of love, war, peace, unity, respect... One of the genre's great innovators was Kwiku, renowned for his blend of shambo and kwassa kwassa.
Like the above-mentioned styles, shambo is presented from time to time on the stage of the Centre culturel franco-namibien. This cultural center for sharing and learning also offers exhibitions and concerts, giving you the chance to hear some great Namibian bands.
Current music
Less well known than its South African neighbor, Namibia's contemporary music scene is nonetheless vibrant. In fact, we could explore it via the career of Gazza, a hyper-popular artist in Namibia (he's one of the country's best-selling artists), whose music brings together the country's most listened-to and played genres, such as kwaito, reggae and hip-hop. The first, kwaito, is a South African import, a kind of hypersyncopated hip-hop from the townships of Johannesburg, bursting with house and bass. In Namibia, it has found its own form, more party-oriented than its South African cousin. The trio Matongo Family are considered the pioneers of kwaito in the country, having introduced it in the late 1990s. After them, big names like The Dogg and EES helped make kwaito a national hit.
Almost as popular as rap, hip-hop has developed well in the country, driven by young people who find it a vehicle to convey their messages. Among the most commendable are Jericho, one of the country's best-loved and best-known MCs, Shikololo, a native rapper, and the group Black Vulcanite, whose messages and videos have attracted a great deal of attention. To round off this top three, reggae is also one of Namibia's most listened-to styles. Introduced in the 1970s, the genre quickly found local icons such as Ras Sheehama, later joined by artists like Petu and Ngatu.
On the pop and folk side, rising star Shishani is gradually making a name for herself on the international scene with her blend of African-American and African musical traditions, while Elemotho, a musician and "musical activist" (as he puts it) is taking the tradition into new territory and has collaborated with the likes of Youssou Ndour, Erykah Badu and The Wailers.
Unsurprisingly, musical activity is particularly concentrated in Windhoek. There's an interesting festival, the /Ae //Gams Arts and Culture Festival, in June or September, which turns the town into a temple of contemporary culture, and a few stages like the Club London, which is quite hip and programs everything - kizomba, electro, hip-hop, pop, rock, etc. - or The Wolfshack, which offers a wide range of concerts. -or The Wolfshack, a great place for concerts.
