M'Saho celebrates Timbila and promotes cultural exchange during three days in Zavala

This week, the village of Quissico, in the Zavala district of Inhambane, will host the 30th edition of M'Saho, one of the main celebrations of the timbila and Chopi culture in Mozambique, organized by the Inhambane Provincial Executive Council, produced by Top Produções and sponsored by Sasol.

Between the 27th and 29th, the Timbila Festival will combine music, dance, workshops, lectures, fairs and exchanges between national and international artists.

Under the banner of valuing and preserving cultural heritage and with the sponsorship of Sasol, the festival will bring together master artisans, timbila players, dancers, artists, researchers, students and local communities, creating spaces for learning and sharing around the timbila, a cultural expression inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

On the first two days, the 27th and 28th, at the Timbila Interpretation Centre in Guilundo, the program includes an artistic residency dedicated to the timbila, with workshops on instrument construction and repair, musical performance techniques and dance, as well as conversations between artists, masters and community members. Interested visitors can also participate in hands-on experiences in timbila construction, playing and dancing, by registering.

One of the highlights will be the formation of the M'kwayo orchestra, composed of 35 of the best timbral players from different orchestras in the Zavala district. The initiative aims to promote the exchange of knowledge between different generations and will culminate in a public performance during the festival.

The program also extends to secondary schools in the district, through lectures and workshops on timbila music and culture, bringing this artistic expression closer to new generations and reinforcing its role in the transmission of cultural heritage.

The festival will also feature traditional cuisine, a fair of local products, discussions around the campfire, and music and dance performances, providing a meeting place for the community, artists, and visitors.

On the third and final day (29), the Quissico Village Aerodrome will be the central stage for the celebrations, with presentations by timbila orchestras from Zavala and other regions, the performance of the newly formed M'kwayo orchestra, traditional demonstrations by the Chopi people and concerts by guest artists, in a program that also includes Two-Ell and Classic Nova.

The 30th edition of M'Saho will also have an international dimension, with the participation of artists from Italy and the Netherlands, who will perform and share experiences with local artists. Researchers and students will also be involved in the production of a documentary about the timbila dance, contributing to its documentation, promotion and preservation.

Beyond the main program, visitors will be able to explore other experiences linked to the territory and local culture, including guided tours of the Quissico Lagoon, the timbila route, traditional gastronomy, and activities promoted by cultural producers, local establishments, and tour guides.

More than just a music and dance festival, M'Saho establishes itself as a space for valuing Chopi identity, transmitting knowledge, and promoting cultural tourism, placing the timbila at the center of an encounter between tradition, contemporary creation, and international exchange.