Freedom of expression

It is time to be free. Free to express as one wills. Tiime to fight for ones freedom. Time to fight against all that oppose ones freedom.

It is time to be.

The Way of Ka-Zimba Ngoma

~ is simply our way of life ~

the central focus of our way is...

Ija-Ka-Di Tenia Dudu

~ these are fighting arts of Nubian people ~

central to this is...

Ngoma

~ which is expressive rhythmic movement - the Drum, the heart beat, the breath ~

What is Ka-Zimba Ngoma ?

Since 1977, our two founding teachers have developed and trained many people in the Way of Ka-Zimba Ngoma. Ka-Zimba Ngoma is simply a way of life. A way of life that reflects African and African-Caribbean culture. The central focus of this way of life is Ija-Ka-Di, which is the study of ancient self-challenging fighting arts which originate throughout Africa. Originally it began as simple everyday expressions, dances and hunting techniques. These expressions later evolved into forms of defense against invaders and the like. We find accounts of this in all major ancient text and oral traditions. As our people migrated to various parts of the world they took with them many aspects of their self-expression, creating an incredibly vast and complex system of fighting arts and battle strategies.

This system of fighting arts was a way of holistically protecting our families (tribes), not necessarily just from other people but also from the harsher elements of nature. These fighting arts enabled us to organize our social order. It enabled us to devise our value systems, health care practices and communion with the Creator. That was until the arrival of invaders. Which once again necessitated the mobilization of fighting forces. However, over a period of time the emphasis of our fighting system changed completely, shifting back into more basic expressions and gestures. Many warriors were captured and taken to the Americas (North, South and the Caribbean). The majority of theses Africans are descendants of warriors captured in battle. Warriors, who have always maintained traditional expression (which have been consistently misunderstood by ‘modern’ society). These expressions contain a way of life going back to the very beginning of time. This way of life includes every aspect of our fighting arts, music, dance and cultural heritage. It is this way of life that Ka-Zimba Ngoma endeavors to adhere to.

Ngoma is a Swahili word who’s meaning encapsulates the combined essence of the drum, the dance and movement. Our Ngoma is based on a series of African dance movements originating from Sudan, South Africa, Ancient Egypt and the Caribbean. It is the fabric of the Way of Ka-Zimba Ngoma, because rhythm is the universal principal of life.

Ngoma plays a very simplistic, yet complex part of our lives. Simplistic because we all do it so naturally without realizing what it is we are doing, or how we are doing it. Complex because once we become conscious of the way we move, react and make cultural gestures, it becomes very difficult to learn, apply and master. Ngoma has to be mastered, as it bridges the gap between all other disciplines of Ka-Zimba Ngoma and is therefore it’s central focus.

Ka-Zimba Ngoma as a whole teaches this discipline in all its forms and formats. Then Ngoma undisciplines the student, so that everything becomes natural. Mind then takes the awareness of the body, and spirit takes over. It is a beautiful experience once mastered.

The students are taught all about movement and it’s applications in all related circumstances. This is when the drama, the dance, storytelling, the masks, the costumes, ancestral traditions, combat and the music are all brought together in one single co-operate identity - NGOMA.