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Tofo Tofo Dance Group is made up of three Mozambican men who integrated Kwaito music and Pantsula dance to create their own unique type of dance that has become internationally celebrated. This new form of movement has brought local African dance onto a global stage.


Background

The word “tofo” means body shaking in the local Mozambique language of Maputo, the area the members of this group are from. The group creates this expression of movement through their combination of dance and music. Both the Kwaito music and Pantsula dance originated in South Africa as ways of expression during the time of Apartheid.

Pantsula

Kwaito

The music genre that the Tofo Tofo dance troupe dances to is called Kwaito music, a form of South African house music. This genre started developing in the 1990’s. The term Kwaito is derived from the Afrikaans word kwaii which means strict or angry, although in more common and contemporary use the word is a loose translation of the English term cool[1]. The language used in Kwaito music is that of South African township slang, called Isicamtho. The origination and development of Kwaito has had a significant impact on South African culture to the extent that it is seen as a lifestyle as much as a music genre. The blend of black urban style and modern influences contribute to its constant evolution – much like South Africa itself[2]. One of the first Kwaito singles to become a big hit in South Africa was “Kaffir” by artist Arthur Mafokate. This single illustrated the freedom of expression resulting from political liberation in South Africa[1]. The first Kwaito group was Boom Shaka.

Kwaito music has a distinct sound. It is an urban sound that is richly textured and expressive. Its dance beat has roots in South African music styles such as mbaqana and dancehall, as well as house and disco [2]. Typically at a slower tempo range than other styles of the house music that it stems from Kwaito music often contains catchy melodic and percussive loop samples, deep bass lines, and vocals. One distinctive feature of this genre is the manner in which the lyrics are sung, rapped and shouted. Well-known American producer Diplo has described Diplo as a “slowed-down garage music” most popular among the black youth of South Africa[1]. Kwaito is not performed by live band. The music tracks are manufactured digitally in a studio, and then played as a backing track on stage[3].

In Kwaito music, township culture is being celebrated by youths. In South Africa, close to half of the population is under the age of twenty one years old, Kwaito music has helped shape a spirit of optimism and self-confidence by being the new sound of the township[3]. Kwaito music is about the township, knowing about the township, understanding the township, walking the walk, talking the talk and more importantly, being proud of these things [4]. Kwaito has been known as the expression of new freedom, and many anti-apartheid chants have been used as lyrics for Kwaito songs. In this sense, Kwaito has led post-Apartheid township culture into the mainstream culture[1]. The lyrics of this genre convey the street language of the townships[2].

Members of the Group

The group is led by Mario Abel Buce, known as Kwela, and Xavier Manuel Campione, known as Xavitto, both of whom are widely recognized in Mozambique for their distinctive dance moves.

Experience

Xavitto and Kwela have performed at many wedding parties, private events, and have had many local shows. Videos of their performances have been put up on YouTube by their audiences to present their talents to a larger, internationally audience.

Rise to Fame

World super-star Beyoncé Knowles came across a video of this group performing. After five months of searching for these men with help from the US Embassy in Maputo, the Tofo Tofo Dance Group was found and flown out to Los Angeles, California to introduce and instruct Beyoncé and her dancers their native dance moves as well as be a part of Beyoncé’s hit music video, Run the World (Girls). The group was inspired and adored by both Beyoncé and her international audience, making the Tofo Tofo Dance Group a tremendous success and a worldwide phenomenon. Their native influence was rewarded when Beyoncé won the MTV Video Music Awards Best Choreographed Music Video in 2011 as well as the Soul Train Music Awards Best Dance Performance of 2011.

Where They Are Now

After their big break with Beyoncé, the men of Tofo Tofo have continued their performances with stars. They have performed opening acts for Fat Joe and Ciara, however this time, it was in Mozambique, their native land. They have continued to perform locally at weddings and other private events.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Two was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Three was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Four was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference One was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

Literature


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