A mural honouring the legendary Mozambican musician Xidimingwana has been unveiled in Maputo, adding a cultural landmark to the city’s landscape. The initiative, supported by Millennium bim, features the work of celebrated artist Sebastião Coana and is located on the Salazar Building in Malhangalene, commemorating the musician’s 90th birthday.
The inauguration ceremony took place on 10 November, presided over by Rasaque Manhique, the President of the Municipal Council of Maputo, as part of the celebrations for the 139th anniversary of Maputo’s elevation to city status.
This mural results from a challenge issued by the Municipal Council of Maputo to Coana, bridging two generations of Mozambican art. The life and musical journey of Xidimingwana is now interpreted through a contemporary lens, showcasing the enduring legacy of one of the prominent figures in marrabenta music.
Xidimingwana, born Domingos Matias Honwana in 1936 in Bilene-Macia, Gaza Province, discovered music in his childhood by learning to play the xigogogwani, a traditional guitar crafted from a tin can. This initial experience spurred a decades-long career, during which his voice and guitar have narrated Mozambican stories, rhythms, and experiences to multiple generations.
Rui Pedro, the Executive President of Millennium bim, emphasised the importance of this tribute, stating, “Celebrating Xidimingwana at 90 is a recognition of what his music represents for Mozambique. His songs have accompanied a variety of generations, helping to recount and comprehend many of our own stories. By supporting this mural, we intend to ensure that his journey remains visible in the city and can be discovered by those who are unfamiliar with the scope of his work.”
Beyond marking a milestone, the mural embeds the musician’s story into the city’s daily life, creating a meeting point between music, art, and public space, thereby allowing the tribute to extend beyond its unveiling.
In this collaboration, Millennium bim aligns with the Municipal Council of Maputo and Sebastião Coana to honour an artist who devoted much of his life to Mozambican music.
The mural in Malhangalene will stand as a reminder for passers-by: for some, it serves as a nostalgic memory of songs that have accompanied them through the years; for others, it acts as an invitation to explore the sounds of Xidimingwana.
