Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A form of popular dance music that originated in the black townships of South Africa, characterized by choral singing and prominent basslines played on electronically amplified guitars.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A style of South African music, with rural Zulu roots and a jazz influence, that originated in the 1960s.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Zulu -mbaqanga in umbaqanga, thick porridge made of cornmeal or millet, mbaqanga (originally applied to the music as a derogatory term by those who considered it simple and homemade).]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Zulu

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word mbaqanga.

Examples

  • For all his musical explorations—gospel, reggae, Mexican folk, South African mbaqanga , Afro-Brazilian batucada and electronic soundscapes, among them—Mr. Simon's recordings often polish away needed bite and edge.

    Who Will Remember Paul Simon? Jim Fusilli 2011

  • Opening with three monster rock hits, "The Joshua Tree" (1987) also contains songs that seem to borrow from South African mbaqanga and the music of the American West.

    U2's Latest Experiment in Sound 2009

  • His seven-piece band moved among styles without hesitation, adding elements of folk, reggae and rock to Indian pop; his guitarist, in one tune, played lines reminiscent of South African mbaqanga and, in another, channeled Carlos Santana.

    The Globalfest Melting Pot 2009

  • Mahlathini, who warmed the hearts of millions here and abroad with his mbaqanga music, died last week from complications relating to diabetes.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1999

  • With his group, the Mahotella Queens, he was a leading exponent of mbaqanga music which they popularised in South Africa and in recent years, internationally.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1999

  • Mahlathini together with his group the Mahotella Queens was leading exponent of mbaqanga music which they popularized in South Africa, and in recent years, internationally.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1999

  • Mkhatshwa, with his catholic tastes in music, loves jazz, classical, mbaqanga and pop.

    Contents 1996

  • After gaining fame as a folky singer-songwriter, Simon reinvented himself by embracing the rhythms of South African mbaqanga.

    The Seattle Times 2011

  • Contra flourishes in its effort to ease up on "A-Punk" 's stiffness as the quartet engages in sonic experimentation of unprecedented playfulness even compared to the debut's: "White Sky" adds mbaqanga bounce to sheer

    LAS magazine | music, media, art, culture, life, everything 2010

  • South Africa compilation released by Putumayo Wold Music, which features a dozen artists representing a variety of genres including Afrojazz, mbaqanga, and township jive.

    Boing Boing 2010

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • It's a South African dance music.

    September 10, 2009