Xhosa / Mpondo

The Xhosa and Mpondo are Bantu-speaking peoples of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, known for musical traditions including the distinctive split-tone singing technique — isigqi or overtone singing — practised by women, as well as bow instruments including the umrhubhe and uhadi. Recordings of these traditions have appeared on Ocora, Lyrichord, and Rounder Records labels. The Mpondo, a subgroup of the Nguni peoples, share many musical traditions with their Xhosa neighbours. These recordings document practices that informed later ethnomusicological research into African vocal polyphony and resonant instrument design.