The body is history. In this case: the recent history of Mozambique.
Since snatching independence from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique has been a land of social and political rifts which have seen an inflexible communist model gradually make way for a fragile democracy. Panaibra Gabriel Canda undertakes a danced self-questioning. Time and Spaces: The Marrabenta Solos explores the idea of today’s African body: a post-colonial, plural body that has absorbed the ideals of nationalism, modernity, socialism and freedom of expression. The body and dance of Panaibra reflects the fragmentation of the country, the biographies, the longings – made visible with minimal, haunting gestures. The solo performer is accompanied by the virtuose guitarist Jorge Domingos who explores the marrabenta music, a musical form born in the 1950s from a mix of local and European influences.
Duration: 60 min.
A production by Panaibra Gabriel Canda/CulturArte (Maputo). In coproduction with Sylt Quelle Cultural Award for Southern Africa 2009 – Goethe Institut Johannesburg. With the support of Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Bates Festival, Panorama Festival, VSArtsNM. Special thanks to Jesse Manno, Dan Minzer, Leah Wilks, Cynthia Oliver, Elsa Mulungo and Timoteo Canda.