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Intambi Have Got Their Groove.
By Marek Patzer
Rhythm and
beat are the pulse of Africa; every tribe right across this vast
continent finds cultural and spiritual expression in song and dance.
In ceremonies celebrating the theatre of Life – all the drama, the
comedy and the supernatural…all on a stage of packed earth, the
ground almost vibrating with the impact of pounding feet. Vocal
harmonies rise and fall against a relentless backdrop of thudding
drums, dust swirls as sinuous bodies writhe and gyrate like the
coils of an agitated snake…passion, mystery, magic, music…great
stuff!
Zambia – with
her diverse cultural heritage – is home to a significant, diverse
and colourful range of cultural ceremonies celebrated all over the
land. Unfortunately accessibility is sometimes a pertinent factor
for visitors wanting to experience these ceremonies so for a Lusaka
resident it is a pleasant surprise to be able to experience a
selection of these ceremonies and dances closer to home.
I happened to
stumble across the Intambi Art and Theatre Group rehearsing at the
Le Soleil Cultural Center the other day and have been looking for
excuses to keep on stumbling into them – the dedication, enthusiasm
and skill are evident as these kids go through their complex
routines to the mesmerizing beat of the drummers and the lively
exhortation of Bernard Kauta the group’s coordinator.
 Intambi is the
brainchild of Bernard Kauta who hails from Isoka. Irrespressible and
dreadlocked, Bernard set up the Intambi Group primarily as a means
of creating jobs for the youngsters of Ng’ombe Compound – a
community plagued by the entire spectrum of socio-economic
difficulties that beset developing countries ranging from HIV/Aids,
child and substance abuse to unemployment, malnutrition and crime.
After Clement Chambanenge joined up with Bernard, Intambi evolved
into a group attempting to address the issues that face a community
like Ng’ombe; initially in trying to entice kids to join the group
as dancers or musicians and then to use the performances to generate
awareness to audiences regarding the complex issues facing
communities in these informal settlements.
Le Soleil is
Ng’ombe’s direct neighbour. Vicky Huwiler, owner of the Le Soleil
complex, had experienced problems with the community ranging from
theft, destruction of fences and squatting. In trying to resolve
these issues Vicky felt the best option was to try and work with the
community as opposed to against and thus the bulk of her staff come
from the community. It was also the reason behind the fortuitous
meeting between herself and Bernard. Now Intambi is Le Soleil’s
resident dance group performing for functions at the centre as well
as having creative space for rehearsals. This shot in the arm for
Intambe has seen the group grow to 26 members, being able to afford
costumes and musical instruments and their repertoire has expanded
to include a range of specific cultural dances unique to Zambia’s
diverse ethnicity.
Vicky has
ambitious expansion plans for Le Soleil and included in these plans
is a cultural village with the Intambi Arts and Theatre Group at the
core.
For further
information contact Vicky at 097 430-894 . |
September
2006