WSU GRADUATE TAKES XHOSA CULTURE TO WORLD STAGES

Walter Sisulu University Fine Arts graduate, Simphiwe Mbunyuza  has used his artistic prowess across the Atlantic to commemorate and preserve African culture and customs.

Mbunyuza who is currently pursuing his Masters degree at the Oklahoma University (OU) in the United States, recently exhibited a Xhosa ceremony called “Ukukhapha” and “Ukubuyisa”,  in the ceremony a family has to slaughter a cow to honour the spirit of a deceased member sending him off and bringing his spirit back to watch over the homestead.

During  the ceremony in an open field at the OU which was used as a kraal, all attendees who are his fellow students and OU professors , black and white were dressed  in the luxurious Xhosa culture-inspired clothing brand  Maxhosa by Laduma.

“In the ceremony the sculptures were representing my ancestors that were spiritually brought back to be part of the living members of the family in order to be with them, guide and protect them as they journey in life. I was explaining such customs and how they are conducted,” said Mbunyuza.

The inspiration behind this ancestral awakening emanated from his thesis title for his first midway defense which was based on “Artist Cognitive Dissonance between Ancestral and Christian spiritual entities”.

“This took me to that final presentation of an installation of a kraal portrayed in a way I imagine ancestral spiritual forms. I believe my culture is very special and something to be proud of especially when we go and share it with  other countries so that they can learn more about it, such indigenous knowledge and culture can be communicated through any form of art, whether it be  music, dress code, visual art, dance, food and medicine,” he added.

Mbunyuza has won numerous prizes throughout his career , including the Red Clay Faction Award and Oscar Jacobson Award at the Oklahoma University, as well as the John Steel Award for Excellence in Ceramics and Outstanding Achievement in Ceramics at WSU.

“I have received  great support in the US for my work because of its uniqueness  thanks to my cultural elements that the work resembles. Some of my most esteemed professors  have shown great appreciation for my sharing of such a beautiful culture through this,” he concluded.

-Anita Roji