Indlamu: An Image of Zulu Upper-Class Culture of the Past

Sakhiseni Joseph Yende ORCID iD and Vusabantu Ngema ORCID iD

Issue: Vol.4  No.3 March 2023  Article 10  pp.300-311
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20234310 |   Published online 17th March, 2023
© 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Even though Indlamu dance has been a central feature of the Zulu nation, few historical studies address the social status of Indlamu. Indlamu has been largely overlooked as an image of Zulu upper-class people, even though the majority of people had ample access to Indlamu. Also, Indlamu is most often associated with Zulu culture untouched by Western influence, probably because it is regarded as a touchstone of Zulu identity. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that Indlamu has never been about war dance only for the peasants and migrants’ workers (ordinary people), but rather ‘an image of the Zulu upper-class culture of the past’. The demonstration is done by analysing Indlamu’s history, structural form, performance, and appreciation throughout the decades. This paper employs a textual analysis approach and direct interviews with selected participants who possess extensive knowledge of Indlamu. This article argues that Indlamu is used as a tool to present a Zulu warrior/combatant as an ordered, disciplined, submissive, and obedient member of society. The findings demonstrate that according to the perceived Zulu nationalism and modern capitalism, an ideal Zulu warrior is submissive and obedient to their authorities. This is ascribed to Indlamu performance’s requirements for complete regimental clothing, exact time, and unwavering posture. This article concludes by affirming that similar to ballet and how King Louis XIV would symbolise things like war or Apollo, implying authority and empire, Indlamu performers would likewise symbolise power and battle. This article is intended to bring an understanding of the role of Indlamu in the Zulu nation.

Keywords: Culture, Indlamu, upper-class, war dance, Zulu identity

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Mr. Sakhiseni J. Yende is presently affiliated with the Tshwane University of Technology as a Part-Time Lecturer. He is studying towards his PhD at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Yende’s research sits at the cutting edge and patient in the field of Performing Arts. Yende has acquired extensive academic research skills, as he has also taught research methods course and has researched and supervised both honours and master’s students in a range of Performing Arts fields such as Dance, Vocal Arts (Opera), and Musical Theatre. His research interests are quite diverse but follow six lines: music education, African music, opera, music in political sciences, and education.

Dr. Vusabantu Ngema is an independent scholar who has extensive knowledge in Zulu dance. He has published a several books and papers in Zulu culture and dance. He has supervised and taught research at the various institutions in South Africa.

Yende S.J. and Ngema V. “Indlamu: An Image of Zulu Upper-Class Culture of the Past,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 4, no.3 (2023): 300-311.  https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20234310

© 2023 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Publishers. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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