Stars of the Namibian Desert

Namibian Traditional Music and Dance Ensemble
Artistic Director – Dr. Perminus Matiure

Since 2007, the organisers of the Orient Festival have been embarking on cultural expeditions across Africa, seeking out living and authentic local musical traditions. In recent years, they have spent considerable time in Namibia, where they discovered this exceptional folk ensemble.

“Stars in the Namibian Desert” is an ensemble brought together by Dr. Perminus Matiure, an ethnomusicologist and lecturer at the University of Namibia. For the Orient Festival, Perminus brings together some of the most talented musicians and dancers from different regions of Namibia.

The concert programme features songs, dances and storytelling traditions of the Oshiwambo, Aawambo, Tswana and Kavango peoples. Audiences will experience makwaira polyphonic choral singing, traditional songs and rhythms accompanied by the mbira, nyunga-nyunga mbira, traditional drums, rattles and the chipendani – a traditional mouth bow.

This is not “world music” adapted for European audiences. The Orient Festival organisers discovered these performers while travelling across Africa, and their programme offers a chance to experience Namibia’s living traditions of music, dance and storytelling as they are practised today.

The voices, rhythms and dances of the Namibian desert – all in one extraordinary evening at the Orient Festival.

Follow the latest news: www.gmgyvai.lt