PAN M 360 at Nuits d’Afrique 2024 | BCUC, the South African pow wow

Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (BCUC), from Soweto, South Africa, was one of the nuggets on the Nuits d’Afrique 2024 program. Essentially based on percussion, voice and the expression of South Africa’s 11 official languages and cultures, BCUC is a kind of African-style pow wow, committed and unifying.

The line-up includes Nkosi “Jovi” Zithulele, Kgomotso Mokone, Thabo “Cheex” Mangle, Mritho Luja, Lehlohonolo “Hloni” Maphunye and Skhumbuzo Mahlangu, Mosebetsi Ntsimande. The rhythms of the drums and hand percussion, as well as the patterns of the electric bass, support the continuous singing and vocal sounds – one woman and two men, sometimes solo, duo or trio. Melodies, harmonies, declamations, onomatopoeia, vocal percussion, nature calls and more.

Several distinct elements of South African voices and rhythms unfold on stage. Transcended by this extremely dynamic collective, capable of transcending its cultural heritage, this Southern African stall is more than interesting, and different from what we’re used to hearing from this end of the planet.