Tufo (dance)
Tufo is a traditional dance in Northern Mozambique.[1] The dance is performed by groups of women and is found in Maputo, the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula and the Island of Mozambique.[2][3] Of Arab origin, the dance is performed to celebrate Islamic festivals and holidays.[3][4] The dance is traditionally performed by dancers moving just the top halves of their bodies and accompanied by songs and tambourine-like drums.
History
The origins of tufo are unclear,
The dance has also been heavily influenced by the
Performance
Historically tufo was performed by both male and female dancers but now men usually only dance on rare occasions.[6] Tufo dance groups comprise 15–20 women and are accompanied by four men or women on flat tambourine-like drums.[6] All of the dancers sing although there are usually lead singers.[6] Traditionally, tufo dancers danced while kneeling down, rhythmically moving the top halves of their bodies.[5][6] More recently tufo choreography has evolved such dancers may stand and move their whole bodies about.[6]
Tufo songs are transmitted orally and may be composed by one of the dancer's or by the group's poet.[6] They are usually in the Emakhuwa language but may also be in Arabic or Portuguese.[6] The dancers must wear matching scarves and capulanas, which are a kind of sarong made from brightly coloured printed cloth.[6] Each dance requires a new capulana to be worn.[3][6]
References
- ^ Simmons, Paulanne (4 February 2002), "Out of Africa: Mozambique troupe brings blend of traditional & contemporary dance", The Brooklyn Paper, retrieved 13 January 2010
- ISBN 1-85287-317-5.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-74059-188-1.
- ^ Correia, Amílcar (27 March 2003), "L'île magique de Vasco de Gama", Courrier International (in French), retrieved 13 January 2010
- ^ ISBN 0-8108-5331-0.
- ^ ISBN 2-84586-594-5.