ingoma, noun

/ɪŋˈɡɔːmə//iŋˈɡɔːma/
Forms:
ingomo, ngomaShow more Also ingomo, ngoma, ngomo, and with initial capital.
Origin:
IsiZuluShow more IsiZulu, royal dance-song, hymn, song.
Note:
In Döhne’s Zulu-Kafir Dictionary (1857), ingoma is defined as ‘2. A military exercise, a manoeuvre...This exercise usually takes place at the ukwetjwama (sc. the festival of first fruits).., and, as a special part of it consists in the praises of the chief which are sung, hence 3...A song of war, a warlike song.’ The military song subsequently became a royal dance-song, and then a hymn.
1. Always with initial capital. The traditional Zulu national anthem, a royal dance-song performed especially at ‘first-fruits’ festivals; the dance performed to this song.
1875 D. Leslie Among Zulus 92They danced the ‘Ingoma.’ This is the national song of the Zulus...It is a very old song, but became all of a sudden famous in Chaka’s time, who made it his war song.
1885 H. Rider Haggard King Solomon’s Mines (1972) 34Hark! the war song, the Ingomo, the music of which has the power to drive men mad.
1885 H. Rider Haggard King Solomon’s Mines (1972) 201Now the regiment began to dance, singing the Ingomo, that is the war chant of us Zulus.
1949 O. Walker Proud Zulu (1951) 143At a given signal, the captains sitting near the king’s sacred seat..struck up the royal dance-song (iNgoma).
2. In full ingoma dance: a traditional or neo-traditional Zulu dance in the ‘ingoma’ style, as performed especially by troupes of migrant workers; also attributive;
Derivatives:
so ingoma dancer noun phrase, one who performs such a dance; ingoma dancing, the performance of this style of dance.
1955 Off. Visitors Guide (Durban Publicity Assoc.) 18Ngoma dancing is the popular amateur sport of the African and serves as a valuable outlet for his energies. Though purely recreational, membership of a recognised team is regarded as an honour. Many of the steps and movements employed in the Ngoma Dances are traditional, though..they are subject to modification and new styles.
1966 Std Bank Pocket Guide to S. Afr. 22The Ngoma dancing by Zulus may be seen any weekend at the Bantu Recreation Grounds.
1977 F. Mtshali in Speak I. Dec. 51The ngoma dances, although tribal, are laced with Western touches and this gives them a style of their own, making them a thrill to watch.
1980 D.B. Coplan Urbanization of African Performing Arts. 434Ingoma, (Zulu: ‘dance, song’) In urban areas, a form of dance and song in traditional idiom developed by Zulu male migrant workers in the mines, factories, and domestic service.
1985 Afr. Review 303There are Zulu ngoma dances performed most weekends in the city.
1990 Pace May 36They have some recreational facilities: sports fields and halls for ingoma dancing — a craze in the hostels.
1990 Bulletin (Centre for Science Dev.) Nov.–Dec. 11Ingoma dancers and their response to town. A study of Ingoma dance troupes among Zulu migrant workers in Durban.
Always with initial capital. The traditional Zulu national anthem, a royal dance-song performed especially at ‘first-fruits’ festivals; the dance performed to this song.
In full ingoma dance:a traditional or neo-traditional Zulu dance in the ‘ingoma’ style, as performed especially by troupes of migrant workers; also attributive;
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IsiZulu
ingogo, nounn.ingoma busuku, noun phrasen. phr.
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