Magagada leg rattles in Karanga jukwa dance performances: a spiritual and symbolic ‘talking’ instrument

Abstract

The use of magagada leg rattles in jukwa dance performances remains undervalued and underexplored in academic literature. Despite  the regular use of magagada in rituals, as well as in spiritual and secular dance performances, scholars have often focused primarily on  the percussive aspect of Karanga musical traditions, thereby neglecting the cultural significance and community belief systems  associated with the instruments. This article explores the significance of magagada in the jukwa dance of the Karanga people of  Zimbabwe in Masvingo province, near the Great Zimbabwe Monument and under the jurisdiction of Chief Mugabe. The study employed  ethnographic methods, including in-depth interviews, participant observation and focus group discussions. Data were collected during  fieldwork in Karanga through individual and group interviews, using observation guides as well as technical aids such as field notebooks, sound recorders and video cameras. The interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically alongside the fieldnotes. The study  revealed that magagada are essential instruments in jukwa performances, making a unique contribution to communication among the  performers, as well as between the living community and the spiritual world. I recommend further investigation of the spiritual and  symbolic aspects of other African musical instruments that are generally deemed useful only for their percussive roles.