Timbila of Zavala

The Chopi of Zavala district make and play timbila, wooden-keyed xylophones with gourd resonators tuned across several sizes, and they play them in orchestras of ten to thirty instruments performing composed works called ngodo: multi-movement pieces with dance, lyrics that comment on local affairs, and a composer who is named. UNESCO recognised the tradition in 2005 and inscribed it on the Representative List. An annual festival at Zavala brings the orchestras together.

What you actually see

• The orchestras - ten to thirty timbila playing together in ranked sizes.
• The ngodo - composed multi-movement works with dance and topical lyrics.
• The instrument making - keys cut from mwenje wood and tuned by hand.
• The Zavala festival - the annual gathering that brings the orchestras together.

When to go

The festival at Zavala is usually held in August and is the best time to see full orchestras. Outside it, performances are arranged rather than scheduled. The dry season from May to September is easiest for travel.

Honest expectations

Outside the festival there is nothing to turn up and watch; performances must be arranged in advance through local contacts. The tradition is under real pressure and the number of active orchestras has fallen. Payment for arranged performances should be agreed clearly.

Nearby

Quissico and its lagoons are nearby, and Xai-Xai is south.