Ihubo (Hymn) for Vocal Ensemble

Ayez’amaNgwane ekseni is a chant that allegedly originated amongst the Seswati people and was adopted by their close cousins, the Zulu’s. The song refers to the battle of Isandlwane and how, despite the loss of their prized cattle in the battles, they were still motivated to fight. This song has been used to increase the morale of the impi (soldiers) before conflicts. The repeated chant of Ji haw haw created a sense of unification and encouraged a powerful meditative trance to empower the fighters.