Timbila Muzimba brings “Mphumaulo” to the Franco, Maputo

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Timbila Muzimba brings “Mphumaulo” to the Franco, Maputo

8:42 CAT | 15 Apr 2016

My Space / Timbila Muzimba

The Orchestra Timbila Muzimba today takes the stage at the Franco-Mozambican cultural centre in Maputo for another musical concert celebrating the group’s 19-year existence.

Titled “Mphumaulo”, meaning reunion in Portuguese, the show starts at 8:30 p.m. and will present 23 artists, some young people trained by Timbila Muzimba in partnership with the Cultural association Warethwa, which works to promote appreciation of Chopi culture, particulary timbila.

The 16-song set will be presented by both the youngest and the best-known band members. Music aside, the show will present traditional dances like the chingomana, chinveca and ngalanga originating in the southern province of Inhambane.

The concert also will serve as the opening shot of celebration of two decades of Timbila Muzimba, which will be celebrated next year with various cultural activities.

Founded in 1997, the Timbila Muzimba orchestra is dedicated to preserving and expressing various chopi styles, including tchopo, ngalanga, tchingomana and mgodo and the timbila proclaimed as a living cultural treasure by UNSECO World Heritage.

Currently, the group consists of Matchume Zango, Lucas Macuácua, Tinoca Zimba, Cheny Wa Gune, Celso Mauaie, Osorio Mauaie, Arlindo Chissano, Djibra Mussá, Alex Gulele and Texito Langa.

Since its inception, the orchestra has produced two CDs entitled “Conta Própria” and “Warethwa”, which were recorded at the musicians’ expense. A third release entitled “Vevula” is stalled for lack of funds.

Last year, Timbila Muzimba held two concerts titled “Wata Mcandei” and “Rambanane”. The latter marked the last public appearance of Master Venancio Mbande, a timbila icon who passed away in July 2015.

The Wata Mcandei show featured guests musicians Roberto Chitsondzo from “Ghorwane” and the young Albino Mbie (based in the United States), who was in Maputo to launch his first album.

In 2009, the orchestra created the project “Orchestras Amadoras” in partnership with the Cultural Association Warethwa. The project teaches 90 young men from different parts of Maputo to play chopi music and make timbila drums.