Dundo - The Cinguvu musical instrument was declared National Intangible Cultural Heritage within the scope of traditional knowledge and crafts, according to Government Decree No. 378/25, of April 10, published in the Official Gazette, ANGOP learnt on Sunday.

The declaration aims to preserve the traditional musical instrument, given its relevance in the Tchokwe culture.

The Cinguvu is a traditional instrument that, in practice, stopped being used in folk orchestras in the eastern region of the country, due to the lack of motivation of the artisans in the manufacture of this instrument.

In addition to its usefulness in art, the Cinguvu, which produces a sound that reaches about 30 kilometers, also served as a means of communication among the Cokwe, through which messages were sent calling for a certain subject or warning about some phenomenon in the community.

In terms of orchestra, the Cinguvu is used in the performances of several masked and collective dances, namely kapaka, kateko, tchisela and tchianda.

The Cinguvu players play the sounds with two heavy drumsticks, whose heads are made of virgin rubber, and the master's assistant strikes the top of the drum with wooden sticks, while the master makes several pauses and changes in tempo.

To be played, the instrument is sometimes hung slightly obliquely on two bowls that are permanently located in the village square.

With the Cinguvu alone, it is possible to have the ngoma ya xina (bass), Mukundu (medium-bass drum), kasasuiluiyo (rhythm), including the kasumibi (smaller drum), which allows for various functionalities in terms of musicality, tonality and rhythm.

In addition to the Cinguvu, the Hungo musical instrument, the Olundongo dance and 19 traditional games of the peoples of southern Angola have also been declared national intangible cultural heritage. HD/MRA/DOJ