Djindji brings memories to life at Mozambican cultural gala

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Djindji brings memories to life at Mozambican cultural gala

5:31 CAT | 10 May 2016

Musician Dilon Djindji, 88, was the personality of the evening at the Mozambican cultural gala offered by the Portuguese president, with a speech that brought memories of the past to life on stage.

Djindji, one of the best-known marrabenta musicians, received a standing ovation and hugged President Rebelo de Sousa, who was still “a man competing to be president of Portugal” the last time they met.

Djindji was the last to speak at the gala, and said he would not “talk long,” but ended up reminiscing about the colonial era, from the late ’30s, when he played “A Portuguesa” for “President Carmona”.

The guitar player and singer said that at that time he “played a guitar made of a liter ‘Oliveira’ olive oil can with three strings” and sang part of the Portuguese national anthem: “’Heroes of the sea, noble people, brave nation …’ I played this song here in 1939. Still in my head.”

Talking rhythmically, with pauses for the amused and moved reaction of the room, Djindji said that this episode with the Portuguese President Oscar Carmona made him happy: “So I made a song in Marracuene, for people to admire.”

“I’m going to die, leave this country behind. Are you listening to me?” he asked aloud. Then he recalled his meetings with the father of the Portuguese head of state, Baltazar Rebelo de Sousa, who was governor-general of the then overseas province of Mozambique between 1968 and 1970, describing him as someone “who got close, very connected, who enjoyed talking to people”.

“He was always in Marracuene, in the house of Malangatana. Malangatana used to invite me to go there to play my guitar and we danced marrabenta. I was a good friend of Governor Rebelo de Sousa and Malangatana,” he said.

Djindji said that Baltazar Rebelo de Sousa built a school in the village of Marracuene. “So today he is well known, You can’t avoid him, the people of Marracuene will remember him forever.”

Finally, he reported with humour his previous meeting with “a man competing to be president in Portugal, at the Hotel Polana”, saying that he was surprised when he got there and was asked to wait.

“After ten minutes, this man appeared to greet me. Looking at his face, it appears that this man is president today,” he added, to laughter, and turning to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

According to the musician, the two talked “very well” and Marcelo “told the story of his father, who always spoke of Djindji by name”.

“And he said, I am competing to be president in Portugal, and if I win and become president, I will come to Mozambique, and I would like to see you there,” he continued, adding: “I am here with him.”

Before about 150 guests at the Mozambican cultural gala tribute, the Portuguese head of state awarded the Order of Merit to Dilon Djindji and four other Mozambican musicians.

Source: Lusa