Ibali, birth, intonjane, marriage

Performer: Nongenile Masithathu Zenani, A Gcaleka woman Place: In the home of Masithathu Zenani, 9:40 am to 1:50 pm Audience: Three women, one man, one teenager Notes: Superb, a masterful performance, concentrating dramatically on three rites of passage. Cf. 3S-112. Beautifully presented, much gesture, body movement, facial and vocal drama. At times, she talks with her full body. Close to dance at times, balletic gesturing. Song too: very rhythmic throughout, becoming spirited song and dance (in place) at times. The full range of complementary and supplementary gesture here. At the very top of her form. Appreciate audience. Brief break at dgt 600. Gesture and vocal drama come close to pure dance and song, do so in intonjane part when she sings intonjane songs. Thoroughly controlled, authoritative performance. Dgt. 584, tasting something; dipping fingers, then tasting; dgt 652, “le ndawo,” pointing to navel; dgt 662, using microphone as the fire, she rocks imaginary child through the smoke; dgt 667, draws umkhusane on the floor, with three parallel lines in it; dgt 720-721, uses forefinger as an illustration; dgt 756, “ath’ ath’,” she cuts at her finger; dgt 767ff, uses a switch to punctuate; dgt 818, “walith’,” puts stick under her arm; dgt 839, she mugs; dgt 843, cleaning floor of house; dgt 869, much spirited activity with stick; dgt 870, milking motions; dgt 900, change of mood, subdued; dgt 860, “ayithi,” raises dress slightly, showing leg. Cf. 3S-348