The traditional music of the

Ndebele Ndebele may refer to: *Southern Ndebele people, located in South Africa *Northern Ndebele people, located in Zimbabwe and Botswana Languages *Southern Ndebele language, the language of the South Ndebele *Northern Ndebele language, the language o ...

is characterised mainly by the widespread use of choral song accompanied by leg rattles (''amahlwayi''), clappers (''izikeyi'') and clapping of hands. Compared with choral song, solo singing and purely instrumental music are of minor importance. Like the

Shona Shona often refers to: * Shona people, a Southern African people * Shona language, a Bantu language spoken by Shona people today Shona may also refer to: * ''Shona'' (album), 1994 album by New Zealand singer Shona Laing * Shona (given name) * S ...

, the Ndebele also use mouthbows (''umqangala'') and gourd-bows (''icaco''), played mostly for self-amusement.

Ndebele musicians

There are many Ndebele songwriters and bands, mainly

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and Mozam ...

an artists, who have been heavily influenced by the Ndebele story telling ways. * Albert Nyathi * Afrida Band * Andy Brown & The Storm *Ilanga *Kampi Moto & George Phiri *

Louis Mhlanga Louis Mhlanga (born 10 November 1956) is a Zimbabwean artist based in South Africa, an award-winning guitarist and producer. Mhlanga taught himself to play the guitar at a young age and is considered one of the best Southern African guitarists ...

* Marsha Moyo * Thabani Band *Ziyaduma *Sandra Ndebele One of the described Queens of Ndebele music is Nothembi Mkhwebane, who became an international star with her band The Siblings. Most Ndebele musicians are merited for outstanding accomplishments in the music industry by Bulawayo Arts Awards.

References

{{Authority control Music of Zimbabwe