The Resilient Power of Dance

This book presents an analysis of Ingoma dance of the Ngoni of Malaŵi. The book argues that the dance has for more than a century and half maintained the same forms and structures among the Ngoni. Significantly it suggests that Ngoni group identity is typically strengthened in relation to Ingoma. For instance when they perform it or are wearing something that is connected to it as is becoming fashionable these days such as wearing an animal skin head band they are distinguishable from the other groups; hence it’s a symbol of group identity. Further the book contends that folk dance can be read through and interpreted as a text. Considering the fact that traditionally dance has mostly been transmitted through linguistic expression including its accompanying song text and that in Ingoma while the SiNgoni the language of the Ngoni has not survived as language of every day communication the dance has. I therefore conclude that the dance rather than the language is their identity marker.