The Land Is Sung: Zulu Performances and the Politics of Place

In The Land is Sung, Thomas Pooley explores how Zulu performances connect communities to their ancestral lands and genealogies, providing a sense of place for those without land tenure. He examines the ethics of recording practice, education, indigenous knowledge systems, musical and linguistic analysis, and justice and environmental ethics, and uses genres of music and dance recorded in South Africa to capture the visceral experiences of performances in everyday life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 17 October 2023
Publisher: Wesleyan University Press

In the captivating realm of ethnography, we delve into the intricate politics of land and belonging in post-apartheid Zulu performances. Through the lens of musicologist Thomas Pooley's insightful work, "The Land is Sung," we witness the profound connection between Zulu communities and their ancestral lands, as well as their genealogies. These performances serve as a powerful means of expressing a sense of place for those who lack formal land tenure in the province of KwaZulu-Nata.

For migrants, these performances become a vessel for expressing their allegiances and cultural identities. They utilize the artistry of song, dance, and praise poetry to convey their spiritual connections to the land, which are intricately embodied in rituals that invoke ancestral connections and promote intergenerational communication. Pooley's analysis, which encompasses a wide range of disciplines such as justice and environmental ethics, education and indigenous knowledge systems, musical and linguistic analysis, and the ethics of recording practice, draws upon a rich tapestry of genres of music and dance recorded in the midlands and borderlands of South Africa, as well as in the vibrant inner city of Johannesburg.

Through his meticulous sound writing, Pooley captures the visceral experiences of these performances in everyday life. The book itself is lavishly illustrated, providing a visual feast for readers. Additionally, a companion website boasts an array of video and audio examples, further enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the rich tapestry of Zulu culture and its profound connection to land and belonging.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780819500588