Umrhubhe musical bow

The sapling is first debarked and bent into a bow shape, with the string typically made from brass wire, though historically, it was woven from twisted strands of ox-tail hair.

For example, at Walter Sisulu University, songs like "Mafeda" are taught to students as part of ensemble performances, providing opportunities to engage with Xhosa musical traditions.

The six-month-long collaboration at the Stellenbosch Conservatoire of Music involved creating recorded "models" instead of traditional notation, allowing Mantombi to shape her solo part.

Commissioned by Robert Brooks for the International Chamber Music Festival of Cervo, the piece was created for an ensemble of clarinet, string quartet, and a narrator, centering on Madosini, an esteemed Mpondomise musician.

Huyssen’s musical commentary "frames" Madosini’s original songs by juxtaposing European and African idioms, ultimately facilitating a dialogue that evolves into a self-reflective performance.

By working with traditional South African musicians and allowing for improvisation rooted in indigenous knowledge, these compositions not only highlight the unique sound of the umrhubhe but also advocate for intercultural collaboration in music.