The M’Saho Timbila Festival kicks off today in Quissico, Zavala district, Inhambane province, with workshops, discussions and public rehearsals as the event marks its 30th anniversary with three days of celebrations running from Thursday, 27 August, to Saturday, 29 August.
The opening day features workshops on the construction and repair of timbilas, led by local craftspeople, giving participants the opportunity to engage with traditional knowledge and techniques associated with making and maintaining this emblematic instrument of Mozambican culture.
Alongside these, workshops on timbila music and dance techniques will be led by renowned timbila musicians and dancers. The sessions will cover playing techniques, the history and development of compositions, as well as ways of coordinating body movement with the sound of the timbila.
More than opportunities for technical learning, the activities aim to create spaces for the transmission of knowledge between generations, bringing together masters, artists, young people, communities and others interested in preserving this cultural expression.
In the afternoon, between 14:00 and 17:30, participants will take part in training activities in an environment of sharing knowledge and experiences centred on the timbila.
In the evening, between 19:00 and 22:30, there will be a community dinner featuring local cuisine, an initiative intended to showcase the community’s flavours and culinary practices while also creating an informal space for socialising and continuing conversations about culture.
The evening will culminate in a discussion and conversation around the campfire, bringing together community leaders, academics, artists and holders of knowledge about the timbila. The gathering will focus on the present and future of this heritage, addressing the challenges of preserving, transmitting and promoting it among younger generations.
Source: Notícias / Festival M’Saho – Inhambane
