Luanda – Veteran Angolan folk music singer/interpreter "Mestre Kituxi" was paid tribute last Saturday night, in Luanda, with the ceremony being marked by his absence, at the last minute, due to health concerns.
Despite the announcement of the absence of the musician on stage taken by surprise fans and contemporaries, who were eager for the artist, the programme went on as if the honoree were present.
Among the moments that marked the tributes, highlight goes onto more than 50 children and students of the Art and Culture Foundation (FAC), who interpreted Kituxi's songs in the vernacular language Kimbundu, played musical instruments, danced, exhibited a play and declaimed poetry, which portray the life and work of the musician.
After several expressions of recognition of Kituxi's achievements, the ceremony culminated with the Nguami Maka group, FAC students and the special guest, who sang the song Nguitambolé in unison, demonstrating the essence of how much Angolan culture is worth, in a miscellany between the current and former generation.
Speaking to ANGOP, the musician Dionísio Rocha, praised the initiative and considered the moment as an act to the dimension of Kituxi deeds.
"I’ve learned a lot from Kituxi, because I have in my repertoire songs that are authored by this Master, so I also feel cheered by the tribute made today", he revealed.
The distinction promoted by the Art and Culture Foundation comes a month after "Kituxi" was also distinguished by the "Cristo Platina" institution last June, during his 83rd birthday.
Profile of Master Kituxi
Miguel Francisco dos Santos Rodolfo "Mestre" was born in Luanda, in Marçal neighbourhood, June 4, 1940. He is an expert player of the traditional instruments hungo, quissange and ngoma traditional musical instruments that dominate Semba music style.
His artistic career began in 1957, when he joined the associative and cultural group "Feitiço Negro". In 1962, he joined "Fogo Negro", while in 1973 he joined the largest socio-cultural group of all time, "Ngongo".
His greatest achievement came in 1980, when he founded the musical group with which he would come to mark the history of Angolan music, “Kituxi e Seus Acompanhantes” founded on May 13, 1980.
The group is the most international in Angola, with performances in Hungary, Zimbabwe, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Yugoslavia, Norway, Brazil, Bulgaria and Portugal.
The group included Chico Açucareiro, Inó Gonçalves, "Antóninho Parte os Cornos", Adãozinho, Manuel Baptista "Manuelito", Zé Fininho, Gregório Mulato, Manuel Constantino and Nick.
They recorded several songs such as "Mu Ilumba", "Dingongenu dia Mona", "Ngitabulé", "NzaMundelé", "Santa Maria", "Amba", "Nzala" and others that appear on the discs "Nguitambulé" (1984), "Dingongenu" (2001), "Kufikissa" (2009) and "Kené Kimoxi" (2016).
Currently, the group is led by Jorge Mulumba, nephew and successor of "Kituxi", who is away from the stage due to health reasons. QCB/ART/Amp/jmc
