Nowayilethi Mbizwena

Nowayilethi Mbizweni
13 x 7.5 inches, oil on wood, 2018

Until 1980 the world of ethnomusicology did not know that a throat singing tradition existed on the southern hemisphere. The traditions of throat singing in regions close to arctic circle had been well examined but it wasn't until Prof. Dr. Dave Dargie "discovered' a similar tradition among the Xhosa of South Africa that throat singing was found any further south than Mongolia. Dr. Darvie recorded and filmed Nowayilethi Mbizweni demonstrating the vocal techniques of the Xhosa, solo, in duets, a trio, as well as in larger groups. Throat singing among the Xhosa is known as Umngqokolo and utilizes, like the tradition of the Siberians, three variations of 'overtone' resonating vocal chambers. Dr. Dargie compiled some of his material on film into Umngqokolo: Thembu Xhosa, Overtone Singing 1985-1998 which can be viewed on YouTube. The world "Umngqokolo" is incredibly hard to pronounce for non-Xhosa speakers as it contains the "click" sound, characteristic of Xhosa language and popularized by the singer Miriam Makeba. I am using here the spelling Nowayilethi as used by Mark C. van Tongeren in Overtone Singing:Physics and Metaphysics in East and West. [Fusica, Amsterdam, 2002] Dr. Dave Dargie adds an X to the name: Nowxayilethi. You would think Dargie's spelling is the right one but Nowxayilethi does not result in any hits on Google while Nowayilethi is not a problem. It makes sense that the English "no-way" is embedded in her name as her two main collaborators (and the only other singers named in the documentary) are named Nosomething Mbizweni and Nofirst Lungisa.