Thimbukushu women and the art of the Ngoma

Traditional music remains deeply embedded in cultural identity, with women playing a vital role in keeping it alive.

Angelika Nduva (56) is among the women who still play the traditional drum, known as the Ngoma in the Thimbukushu language, along the Kavango River.

Nduva and her fellow drummers say their drumming skills are self-taught, learned through observation, practice and participation in cultural activities rather than formal instruction.

“This is a talent we taught ourselves, and we enjoy playing traditional drums because they add melody to the music,” Nduva explains.

She says the Ngoma is not a single drum but comes in different forms, each used for specific occasions.

“There are different types of drums. Some are used for rituals, some for dances and some for celebrations. You play it when people are happy, when they are celebrating and during important cultural ceremonies,” she continues.

According to Nduva, playing the drum is a skill that requires careful coordination.

“Not many people have this skill anymore. When someone is beating the drum, people pay attention to how it is played and how it matches the song that is being sung.”

She explains that drumming, singing and dancing must work together.

“If the drum is not beaten properly, the singers cannot sing properly and the dancers cannot dance properly. There must be coordination between the song, the dance and the drum,” she adds.

The women add that in the past, drumming played an important role in everyday life. “Before hunting, specific songs were sung, and the drum was beaten in a particular way,” they say. “It was never just about beating the drum; every rhythm had meaning.”

While some believe traditional instruments are disappearing, they disagree. “This is not something that is fading because it is deeply rooted in our culture and traditions,” they say. However, they express concern that younger generations may not fully understand its significance. “For many young people today, it no longer has the same meaning.”

Music educator John Mberry, an instrumental teacher at the College of the Arts, agrees that traditional instruments are an essential part of music but believes interest is declining.

“Traditional instruments are a huge part of music, but it is an art that is slowly disappearing,” he says. “We now see more students signing up for piano or xylophone lessons than for traditional instruments.”

Cultural researcher Marius Kudumo highlights the importance of documentation in preserving traditional music.

“Research and written work on traditional songs and drumming patterns help ensure that this knowledge is not lost,” he says.

Despite changing times, the sound of the Ngoma continues to echo through the Kavango East region, carried by women who believe culture survives through practice. As long as the drum is played and its rhythms are understood, the tradition remains alive.

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