African Exodus is a physical and musical performance that, as writer and producer Sbusiso Shozi explains, “seeks to unearth the history of Bantu speaking tribes around the African continent.” It was first performed at The Centre for the Less Good Idea in May 2018 as part of the For Once programme.

Where do you go when history and research fail you? What happens when the tenuous trail of a group of people peters out? For Shozi and the team behind African Exodus, music and movement provide a way forward.

In African Exodus, a team of performers seeks to interrogate the migratory history and rootedness to the land of the Bantu people. Through what Shozi refers to as “archaeological linguistics research”, the performance traces the roots or landmarks of where these groups came from. The resultant performance and soundscape speculates on this history, using the tools of the body and the voice as points of reference.

Throughout the performance, the cast are a uniform body of people, mirrored in their costume and in their setting – high, slim desks and chairs that serve as lecterns, altars, instruments and more. Set and costume multiply in meaning. Desks become drums, bowls become spotlights, and shirts become doeks. The work employs rich choral work, live recitation, harmonisation and rallying, proselytising prose. Satire becomes a useful tool, too – the biting performance of common, regressive tropes about the continent and its people.

Through the striking combination of music and the body in motion, African Exodus puts forward lucid and illuminating scenes of history and migration. It is through this sharp performative narrative that we can begin to better understand the lesser-known movements of the past.

– David Mann

In 2023, African Exodus will be travelling to Komische Oper Berlin. The performance will take place on 24 & 25 February 2023 at Kathedrale, SchwuZ Queer Club (Rollbergstrasse 26, 12053 Berlin) at 8pm.

CREDITS:

PRODUCER, MUSICAL DIRECTOR & WRITER | Sbusiso Shozi
PERFORMERS | Thabang Mkhwanazi, Xolisile Bongwana, Thabo Gwadiso, Thulani Zwane, Simphiwe Sikhakhane, Sizakele Nkosi & Sbusiso Shozi
MUSICIAN | Yogin Sullaphen
SHOW DIRECTOR | Nhlanhla Mahlangu
STAGE MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATOR | Sifiso Shozi
LIGHTING DESIGNERS | Wesley France & Guy Nelson
PROJECT MANAGER | Shruthi Nair
SUPPORTED BY | The National Arts Council of South Africa