Dundo - The carnival groups selected for the 2024 provincial carnival parade in the eatern province of Lunda-Norte will mostly perform Tchianda dances to the sound of the Ngoma (drumming), the main traditional instrument of the Tchokwe.
Tchianda dance is used for the reception of large government or traditional organisations.
It is also practised during the Mucanda festival, i.e. on the day adolescents are released from circumcision, a party is held in the community to welcome the boys who have been away from their parents for a year, camped in the forest, under the control of the tchumba cambungo (guardian of the Mucanda).
It was created by the women, along with the Txissela and Ulengo (other commemorative and recreational dances), to celebrate the maturity of the son who passes from adolescence to adulthood, whose dancers wear Mafunha and Mwia (rolled up cloths) around their waists, as well as mazombo.
According to ANGOP, before the start of the provincial parade, scheduled for 10am today, the groups will also perform Kalukuta, Kandowa, Makopo, miting and Txissela dances.
The groups will also be showing some pieces that depict the habits and customs of the various groups that make up Lunda Norte's ethnolinguistic mosaic.
One of the highlights of the Carnival parade in Lunda Norte will certainly be the display by the União Mundo Samanhonga group, nine-time winners of the Carnival.
Unlike last year, when they were honoured, this year the 47-year-old group, 45 of which have been dancing carnival, will be competing for the title.
As well as exhibiting their main percussion instruments (batuques), they will be displaying the Mwana Pwo, Xaxata and Katoyo masks, symbols of Cokwe culture.
The group, which was honoured in 2010 by the Ministry of Culture for its contribution to preserving, enhancing and disseminating Tchokwe folklore, took part in Luanda's central parade in 2018.
The prominent carnival group has represented Angola, in particular the province of Lunda Norte, at various festivals in Europe, including Germany, Sweden, France, Spain, Cuba and Portugal, where it performed the Txianda dance style, one of the best known in Tchokwe culture.
For 2024 edition, 32 children's groups (17) and adult groups (15) have been confirmed, with the parade taking place at Largo Dr António Agostinho Neto, in the town centre of Mussungue.
The carnival groups Tchako Tcha Utchokwe (Adult) and Afilhados do Muaquesse (Children), from the municipality of Chitato, are the holders of the Carnival titles in Lunda-Norte. HD/DAN/DOJ
