WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2025 @ 7:30PM

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In November the remarkable group Black Umfolosi will grace our stage. Established over 40 years ago in Zimbabwe, Black Umfolosi blends a cappella singing with traditional dance, costume, and percussion. A highlight of their performance is their rendition of gumboot dancing, which evolved in the mining camps of the African continent. This show may well inspire you to shake a leg!

‘“God I do not even know what to say. I was in tears. It’s music that touches the heart…”

–    Audience at Melkweg Amsterdam

Black Umfolosi International (BUI) is one of the African continent’s most revered vocal groups, with more than three decades of international touring behind them.  Their shows feature a cappella songs in many of the languages of southern Africa, as well as almost non-stop dancing.  The imbube music they perform is a fusion of traditional Zulu music and more modern genres.  The songs are delivered with passion, integrity and humour.

One of the highlights of any BUI performance is their famous gumboot dance, a tradition which originated in the mines of southern Africa.  Dancers perform bare-chested wearing hard hats and long gumboots as they execute incredible feats of dance and percussion. The songs and dance are tied together with interesting and informative banter from the group.  A BUI show is a deep dive into the incredible culture of Zimbabwe.

You can check Black Umfolosi out on their YouTube channel.

“What a wonderful relief from the World’s events it was to see and listen to Black Umfolosi perform. They were wonderful and life warming.”

– Janet Russell, Yorkshire Dales Workshops (in the days following the disaster at the World Trade Centre Sep 2001)

“Thank you for a wonderful time. I have had so many calls…most of them were complaints that your set was too short because they loved you so much!!! It was brilliant. You were brilliant. You have to come back again.”

– Organiser, Rainforest World Music Festival, Malaysia