Isicathamiya is a popular urban vocal music genre of Zulus who constitute the majority of about a dozen ethnic groups of people in South Africa. Scholars like Erlmann (1996), Ndlovu (1989, 1996) and Xulu (1992), have, from their field studies and writings, asserted that isicathamiya has been influenced by Zulu indigenous beliefs such as: belief in communalism expressed in the Zulu dictum "umuntu, ngumuntu, ngabantu"; belief in competition; belief in strength and power associated
with animals; reverence of the fire-place as a resource for food and warmth; and belief in dreams for communicating with ancestors.

This paper examines the extent to which the above-mentioned beliefs have been applied in the performance practices of selected isicathamiya musicians. Data obtained from the researcher's observation of performances, attendance of competitions, and interviews of isicathamiya musicians, supported with audio video recordings are analyzed. The researcher discovers that the influence of Zulu indigenous beliefs on isicathamiya has been waning since the 1990s and, therefore, concludes that such beliefs, to some extent, influence the performance practices of isicathamiya musicians.