Mombassa Sets Mmantlwaneng On Fire
Portuguese-speaking people in Gaborone were treated to an electric performance by Brazilian artiste Mombassa, at Westwood International School’s Mmantwaneng Theatre last Friday night.
The Brazilian Embassy-sponsored event, was simply breathtaking although non-Portuguese speaking people were naturally struggling to grasp what the artiste was saying.
Speaking to Showtime through an interpreter, Mombassa said that he was confident revellers enjoyed his performance because “music is a universal language”. The braided artiste, who graciously mixed with his fans and involved them in the show, is clearly a gifted and engaging artiste.
The 47-year-old Afro-Brazilian explained that he grew up in a music-loving family and that had greatly influenced his decision to become a musician.Mombassa also spoke fondly of his country. “Brazil is the melting pot of all cultures and there is no racial hatred in our country,” explained the artiste, who added that he was happy to be back in Africa, which he considers his spiritual home.
He said Brazil was the first country in the world to abolish slavery in 1888. The affable singer startled Showtime when he pointed out that the black people in Brazil have kept the African tradition more than Africans in Africa. “When our people arrived in Brazil, they stuck to traditional African religions and culture and did not allow themselves to be completely swamped by Christianity. It is amazing how in Africa, many people seem to have forgotten their roots,” said Mombassa.
One of the religions transported across the Atlantic Ocean by slaves to South America is voodoo, which is widely practised by blacks in Brazil. He said he practises a religion “influenced by Catholicism” and African ancestral worship rites. These two ‘religions’ have greatly influenced his music because he blends hymns with the drums of umbanda, which are mainly used by blacks in their religious festivals.
Mombassa said another sign that blacks took a part of Africa with them to Latin America is that when they were forcibly shipped to Brazil, they settled near hills like their ancestors back in Africa and to this day they still keep the tradition. He also pointed out that most of his Afro-Brazilian counterparts are Yorubas from Nigeria.
The Afro-Brazilian maestro stated that his brand of music is called MPB, and is peculiar to Brazil. It infuses a bit of every genre of music and, according to Mombassa, “one cannot go wrong with this kind of fusion”. He embraces different styles of music ranging from Brazilian jazz to pop music - with a touch of classic rock ‘n’ roll to funk - and anything from traditional samba to reggae.
The artist, who is also a guitarist of note, was the only act on the night, and performed 18 songs that included Magueira, Menino de rua, Obnubilado, Te devoro, se vc morree, Faz parte do meu show, Pelo telefone, Mandelas, Chega, Pretinhosidade, Paciiencia, Arriscandotudo, Aquarela Brasileira, Quadro Negro, Reparacao, Vamos Fugir, Cada macao and Florisbela.
[Via Mmegi]
