Subiey: The master of ululation
James Kgosi | Friday August 7, 2015 15:08
If wishes were horses, she would use her God-given talent to entertain the first citizen wherever he goes and be rewarded for it. Subiey, as she is affectionately called, says she began ululating as a young girl, while she was a member of the school traditional dance troupe both at primary and secondary schools. Over time she managed to master the art.
Hers is no ordinary ululating as she says her audience is always left asking for more whenever she ululates. She prides herself in turning dull moments into something exciting. She recalls a day when the village hosted a culture day event. Many people left the event feeling bored, but were cheered up when she started ululatating.
“I remember there was a culture day in the village and a lot of people gathered at the kgotla. I met people going home because they said the event was boring. As I entered the kgotla, I ululated, which made an immediate impact as the atmosphere became lively and those who were leaving returned and enjoyed their stay,” she proudly says.
The introduction of constituency arts competitions has motivated Subiey to develop a lot of interest in taking ululation as something that could put bread on the table. It was, however, in 2013 that she got rewarded for her skill when she performed at a wedding.
“I was engaged to perform at Brigadier Mabengano’s wedding in 2013 and got P300 for my efforts. People have taken notice of my talent and I receive wedding invites although I am yet to make it financially. I remember once backing a poet in one of the constituency arts competitions held in the village. The artist learned about my ululation prowess and asked me to assist him. We managed to scoop first position and I got P100 as a reward,” she says.
Subiey rues the fact that ululation is a complimentary gesture to the main act, which traditionally is a poem rendition. She hopes for a day when ululation could be recognised as a stand-alone art just like other categories enabling her to contest as a solo artist. Subiey said she is currently in search of a partner to back during performances.
She says area Member of Parliament, Phillip Makgalemele’s effort to connect her to renowned local poet, Benson Phuthego has not materialised, as she is still yet to meet him.