Rhythm, movement and Marrabenta

Junior School students at the Aga Khan Academy Maputo celebrated the traditional Mozambican dance music of Marrabenta on Friday, 26 March with a day filled with dancing, music and much more. 

Marrabenta is a well-known style of Mozambican dance music, which combines traditional Mozambican rhythms with Portuguese folk music. The music was developed in Maputo during the 1930s and 1940s while Mozambique was still under Portuguese colonial rule and is still seen today. 

At the Academy, JS students and staff could be seen wearing capulana outfits, a traditional Mozambican attire, and learning about Marrabenta throughout the day. During their assembly, the JS students learned some traditional dance moves and the history of Marrabenta, whilst the afternoon was filled with traditional Mozambican games, songs and more dance. 

"It was wonderful to see the Academy in a wonderful celebration of a local tradition," said JS Principal Maike Silver. 

Watch a video here to see our JS students and teachers showing off their dance moves to Marrabenta music!