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User:MBA2013 MODE1 G7/draft on Izikhothane

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Izikhothane (or Skothane or Ukukhothana) refers to South African showmanship or dance battles in which individuals or groups of individuals take on each other in front of large crowds to determine which competitor is wealthier. These 'battles' are performed using material items such as money, mobile phones, clothes and alcohol. In most instances a battle is won by the intentional destruction or wastage of one's own expensive items in order to demonstrate the lack of concern for such material possessions due to the ability to afford more of the same. A competitor's chances of victory are improved by having items that are more expensive than those of the opponent.

Origin

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The word Izikhothane is a combination of two Zulu words: Izikhotha (to lick) and Ukukhothana (to mock). This term is township slang for “the one with the most expensive clothes”. The reference to licking symbolises the licking of one’s fingers when counting wads of money. The reference of licking can also be attributed to being covered in luxury desert custard which is used in Izikhothane battles. [1]

Izikhothane originated in the early 2000s in the South African townships of Soweto and Diepsloot. The act remained largely unnoticed until it gained popularity in 2011 and 2012. A similar trend called uSwenka existed in South Africa in the 1950s where migrant workers and labourers dressed themselves in their finest suits and shoes to compete in contests.[2] The winner of these contests would win money, household necessities or livestock, which they would send back home to their families.

Practices

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The Izikhothane are usually from impoverished backgrounds and spend beyond their financial means in order to purchase high-end designer apparel, prestige branded alcohol, luxury food items, and expensive accessories including jewellery and mobile phones. These items are then destroyed or disposed of in an attempt to create a perception of oppulence and thereby gain social status.

The ability to afford expensive clothing is fundamental to Izikhothane and one's reputation is determined by this expression. The Izikhothane sometimes demonstrate this by buying two pairs of the same high-end brand of shoe in different colours and then wearing one shoe of each colour to indicate that two pairs of same expensive shoe can be afforded.[3] Another tactic in battle is to wear expensive clothing in layers and then destroy one layer at a time thereby destroying more clothes than the opponent. Price tags are sometimes retained on the clothing so that competitors can flaunt the cost of their items.

Battles

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Why

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The aim of the dance battle is to show more abundance than your opponents as this determines the winner of the battle. There is no tangible rewards for winning an Iziknothane battle, just the recognition and affection from the public that witness the battle.

Where

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Izikhothane battles occur predominantly across South Africa’s black townships. The act or battle is performed in public places such as parks or any open spaces so that large crowds may gather to witness the event.

Who

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Predominantly black males aged between 12 and 25 years, who are from low income households. The popularity of Izikhothane has also started to attract female youth. Izikhothane groups compete against each other in inter- or intra- township battles. A group's identity and reputation is upheld by its members' wasteful extravagance.

How

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In order to perform in an Izikhothane battle, a contestant must purchase expensive items such as clothing, shoes, alcohol and exorbitant accessories. Loud, colourful, branded items are a necessity. The more your gear costs, the more dominant you are able to be in the battle. Once at the battle venue, the contestant calls out an opponent. Thereafter these two competitors dance around showing off their expensive material items to each other and the crowd. In order to win the battle, a contestant may be required to destroy their items such as tearing up cash notes, burning or tearing up their designer branded clothing, pouring out expensive alcohol onto the ground or submerging their mobile phones in water.[3] The champions are decided by the crowd whereby the crowd cheers for the Izikhothane that impressed them the most with their abundance of wealth as depicted by the destruction of their high-value items.

Culture

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The youth associated with Izikhothane are perceived to have a lack of future planning, a disregard for financial responsibility, a high degree of extremism and materialism, as well as a strong yearning for fame and recognition.[2] The Izikhothane culture is considered to be borne from the desire to escape the reality of poverty and discrimination.

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Notes

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  1. ^ Capron, Alexandre (2013-09-09). "'Izikhothane': South Africa's bizarre money-burning trend". France24. International News 24/7. Retrieved 2013-11-08.
  2. ^ a b Nkosi, Sibongile (2011-10-11). "Burn after wearing -- township kids' hottest fashion statement". Mail & Guardian. M&G Online. Retrieved 2013-11-08.
  3. ^ a b Unknown (2012-07-18). "Burning Bling". The Star Newspaper. Independent Online. Retrieved 2013-11-08.

References

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