Luanda: The Ngeya Festival, one of the key events promoting cultural appreciation in eastern Angola, paid tribute on Saturday in the city of Luena to the traditional marimba from the municipality of Lumbala Nguimbo-an ancestral instrument that has for decades symbolized an important part of the cultural identity of communities in the country's east.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the marimba-known locally as *Malima* in the Macoma language-is notable for its unusual dimensions, measuring about five meters in length, and for the distinctive sound used to accompany traditional dances and evoke the dancers' expressiveness during cultural performances and community ceremonies. Built in 2003, it has become a cornerstone of cultural identity in the region.
The tribute featured a performance by five percussionists playing the instrument, while eight dancers took the main stage with routines inspired by traditional rhythms such as Kandemba, Sipelu, Silimba, and Kayowe, drawing applause from the audience at the Peace Monument, the event's venue. The Malimba group, dedicated to preserving this art form, was founded in 2003 and currently comprises 30 members-including 16 women who play a central role in the choreography, while the men lead the instrumental performance.
Over the years, the Lumbala Nguimbo marimba has brought national recognition to the group; in 2012, they won a prize worth 400,000 kwanzas at a cultural festival in Malanje, in addition to participating in events held in Luanda and Lunda Norte. This edition of the Ngeya Festival brings together around 160 artists across 13 cultural groups from the provinces of Moxico, Eastern Moxico, Lunda Norte, and Lunda Sul, cementing its status as a key platform for preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of eastern Angola.
Held annually in Luena, the event seeks to foster intergenerational exchange and keep traditional cultural expressions alive amidst growing concern over the gradual disappearance of ancestral practices in various regions of the country.
