← Global Music

Africa

Southern Africa · Mbube & isicathamiya

Community and praise traditions intersected with migrant-worker choral styles. Mbube and isicathamiya grew through twentieth-century recordings and performance competitions.

History & evolution

  1. Early 1900s

    Migrant-worker choral traditions

  2. 1930s onward

    Mbube recordings

  3. Late 1900s onward

    Isicathamiya global audiences

Key styles

  • Mbube
  • Isicathamiya
  • Marabi
  • Regional traditions

Instruments

  • Voice
  • Mbira
  • Musical bows
  • Marimba

Masters & composers

  • Solomon Linda
  • Joseph Shabalala
  • Ladysmith Black Mambazo
  • Stella Chiweshe

Listen live

No national folk/classical station verified here yet.

Browse live folk & world radio

Watch

Full performances & films · YouTube search

Search results; choose official artist or institution uploads.

Learn

International Library of African Music

Official publisher · checked October 20, 2026

ILAM Digital Archive

Collection access conditions apply

Attend

No current official concert or festival page verified yet.

Source pages may include paid concerts or subscriptions. Links do not establish permission to reuse recordings.