Abashokobezi 1906–2006
Abashokobezi (1906–2006) is the third and so far final album by the South African music project Bambata, released in 2006, to commemorate the centennial of the Bambatha rebellion of 1906. The title "Abashokobezi" refers to Zulu leaders who were involved in a Zulu civil war after the Zulu kingdom was divided into 13 chiefdoms whose chiefs were appointed by the British administration, in the wake of the Battle of Ulundi in 1879. The word "abashokobezi" (sing. "umshokobezi") is derived from the name of an Usuthu war badge, "ubushokobezi". The meaning of the word shifted from ‘adherents of the  Usuthu faction’ to ‘rebels’ during the Zulu Civil War of 1879–84. This album sees the Bambata music project move more to the direction of a band effort. The key figures on this album are Mzala Zuma, Philangezwi Bongani Nkwanyana, and the new addition to the ranks of Bambata musicians, vocalist Faca Kulu. In anticipation of an Afro-World Sessions concert at Newtown Music Hall in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2004, Artslink of South Africa wrote about the album as follows: The Swedish newspaper "Svenska Dagbladet" published a short review of this album in 2005: Track listing. 1. Voman’ emadlozini "(re -arranged by Philangezwi Bongani Nkwanyana, Sipho Sithole)" 2. Abashokobezi (A Tribute to Unsung Heroes 1906–2006) "(Sipho Sithole)" 3. Emanzini (A Tribute to the King) "(Marvin Moses)" 4. Ngicel’ amandla "(Philangezwi Bongani Nkwanyana, Sipho Sithole, Jabu Khanyile)" 5. Mbali "(re-arranged by Mthandeni Mvelase, Henry B Kulu, Sipho Sithole, Jabu Khanyile)" 6. Shomi yami "(Maxhegwana Johannes Zuma)" 7. Ubhememe "(Philangezwi Bongani Nkwanyana)" 8. Ishixakaxaka "(Maxhegwana Johannes Zuma, Sipho Sithole, Jabu Khanyile)" 9. Ukufa kugehlule "(Philangezwi Bongani Nkwanyana)" 10. Saphel’ isizwe "(Henry B Kulu, Jabu Khanyile, Mthandeni Mvelase, Sipho Sithole)" 11. Sishiman’ ushela kanjani "(Sipho Sithole)" 12. Mshana wami "(Maxhegwana Johannes Zuma , Jabu Khanyile)" 13. Wena we zulu! Bayethe "(Trad., arranged by Thembinkosi Zwane)"