| Summary: | Filmed in 1966 in mine arenas and villages of South Africa, Malawi and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), this film captures a series of electrifying traditional, and now largely extinct, dance performances. It captures dramatic traditional presentations and enactments by Zulu, Karanga, Ndau, Xhosa, Valley Tonga, and Barotse, among others. Most importantly, these mine dances were some of the last occasions at which traditional dance could be viewed by the general public. This film is an open window into an irretrievable past. Stamping, shaking and tumbling are some of the styles of Southern African dancing that were showcased at mine dances. For recreation, migrant mine workers from various indigenous tribes would perform dances from their home villages in traditional dress. This practice evolved into an important venue that was open to the public. The writer and narrator of the film, Dr. Hugh Tracey, is one of the principal vanguards of the study of African music and was instrumental in developing the mine dance venues. In several vignettes, his son Dr. Andrew Tracey, offers insights into the nature and aesthetics of African music.
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