Mhayisa Productions take ‘QHAWE’ to Haba na Haba dance festival in Dar es Salaam
Durban >> Dar es Salaam
Mhayise Productions is an internationally acclaimed contemporary dance and theatre performance company based in Durban and founded by Musa Hlatshwayo. The company is supported by an ANT Mobility Grant to take part in this year’s Haba na Haba Traditional and Contemporary Dance Festival in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 8-11 July 2019.
During the festival Mhayise Productions will facilitate dance and contemporary choreography development workshops with the local artists at Nafasi Art Space. In addition to this, the company will present a new solo work called ‘QHAWE’ choreographed by Musa Hlatshwayo and performed by Njabulo Thabethe.
ABOUT THE WORK
“Heal…so we don’t have another generation of trauma passing itself off as culture.” Author unknown.
‘QHAWE’ is a metaphoric and introspective quest for an identity that seeks to be free from the baggage of the past and the confines of society’s rites of passage. It explores a psychological journey of a young man heeding his healing from the trauma of his past, the experiences of his present and the anxieties about his future. It is a metaphoric quest for an identity that is free from the tags of our socio-political history of wars and violence as experienced by the black male body.
Choreographer’s note
Through in-depth personal introspection and research and in our true signature working methodology, the company and I delve deep into our very personal and therefore political identities all in search for light and the emancipation of the self. We look into our past, our present and therefore reimagine our future while confronting the dark clouds that constantly hang over who we are defined as.
The violence imposed on the black male body and its mechanisms on dealing with the trauma; particularly in these post-colonial times, are part of what largely inspires our own curiosity as black men and as artists. How does the history of the struggle and the battles fought by our forefathers define who we are as their offspring?
Choreographed by: Musa Hlatshwayo
Performed by: Njabulo Thabethe
Lighting and sound design: Lerato Ledwaba
Length: 45 minutes
Images by Simanga Zondo
