Buhlebezwe Siwani

Mnguni, 2019

In Mnguni the artist herself is documented in three positions during a performance on a beach in the Netherlands, showing the attitudes of a ritualized action. As the work title Mnguni suggests, the performance refers to the Nguni, an indigenous community in South Africa. Siwani links historical, economic and colonial relationships between South Africa and the Netherlands. “The land speaks volumes about who we are and how things evolve, and who has been there. It speaks about the trials and tribulations. Especially in South Africa where people have been uprooted and land taken from them, how do you say home if you have always known home to belong to a former master?” (B.S.) In Mnguni, the artist’s body, movement and clothing evoke relationships and conflicts , but also the power of her connection as a ‘Sangoma’ [healer] to her ancestors.