Mntana WeXhwele
Bio
Mntana WeXhwele (born Nkosenathi Ernie Koela in 1993) is a Ph.D candidate specialising in indigenous music therapies at the University of Cape Town.
Using interdisciplinary practice encompassing being an African multi-instrumentalist, instrument maker, composer, writer, poet, playwright, director, singer, academic and dancer; Koela creates textures of music embedded in African spirituality. Observing musical instrument connections of Africa and Asia as archaeological and knowledge sites, Koela explores how healing practices through sound creates space that manifests spiritually and materially.
At the core of Koela's practice is an interest of how people as custodians of the instruments become the living library and creators of indigenous knowledge systems. Through his work he is creating an inter-sectional and inter-disciplinary indigenous museum that locates sound and movement practice in Afrika as a material space of healing that functions to serve and inform its community. Koela has performed across the continent and internationally. He released his first solo ‘Inkaba’ an Afro-Spritual collection of dream and soundscapes,(Brazil, Cape Town), (2018). He has performed at the International Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, (2011); The National Arts Festival, Grahamstown, (2011); Riaz Festival, Mozambique, (2015/2019), UCT Ibuyambo shows (Baxter theatre, 2014-17) and Dance Umbrella Africa (2019)
Koela has been a performer and instrumentalist for over 15 years, Alongside playing instruments he also teaches others how to play traditional instruments. In this, teaching others about the instruments h’story, spiritual significance and importance. This he does as testament to his ancestry, the long line/s of traditional instrumentalists, diviners/ healers (amaGqirha namaXhwele) that run in his family, who are in their own right, masters of traditional San, Bantu and Nguni music/heritage.
Apart from institutional training he has also apprenticed directly under renowned traditional
instrument master’s/ virtuosos;
Prof. Dizu Plaatjies (RSA - leader of AmamPondo), Matchume Zango (MOZ - leader
of Timbila Muzimba), Kofi Lartey (GHA - master dancer ), Mabengu /Bavikile Ngema, (RSA - master of Zulu bows), Mantombi (RSA- master of Xhosa bow and vocal music), Sultan
Mama (IND - Sufi bow master ), Vintani Nafassi (MOZ - Makonde instrumentals and dancer), Ntate Maholomola ( Lesiba master) and Mestre Espirrinho (BRZ - 2nd degree master of capoeira).
Koela's life is dedicated to the preservation, renovation and resuscitations of indigenous instrumentalism, technologies and musicianship.