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The Cimboa is an old single-stringed
instrument introduced into Cape Verde by African slaves. Various
forms of this instrument can be found in West Africa (in Mauritania
and Mali for example), where it is called Imzad among the Touaregs,
Amzad among the Moors or “Riti” among the Peuls (or
Fulanis). The Cimboa has the special feature of being used exclusively
as an instrument of accompaniment at cultural ceremonies of the
Batuque. The Batuque is a musical genre, a traditional dance and
a song which is practised on certain ceremonial occasions (particularly
during marriages or child-naming events).
Unfortunately, several factors have led to the gradual disappearance
of the Cimboa from the Cap Verdian musical scene. |
Indeed, for a long time (up until Cape Verde’s
accession to independence in 1975) Batuque events were rare and
clandestine because the Portuguese colonial authorities considered
anything that was of African origin as primitive savagery and
uncivilized. Moreover, the Cimboa, considered as the instrument
of the poor due to its rustic appearance and its virtually exclusive
use by peasants of the rural area, aroused little interest.
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Mr. Mano Mendi, manufacturing the Cimboa
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Besides, the raw materials
required for the manufacture of the Cimboa (calabash, horsehair)
are becoming increasingly rare. All these reasons explain the fact
that today, very few persons know the existence of this instrument
and that only one man (fairly old), Nho Mano Mendi, knows really
how to manufacture and play it. UNESCO has therefore initiated a
project for safeguarding the Cimboa aimed at revitalizing the manufacture
and practice of the Cimboa among the young generations and safeguarding
this element of the Cape Verdian cultural heritage before it completely
disappears. |
Mr. Mano Mendi, at a Cimboa manufacturing
workshop |
Under the Convention for the safeguard of immaterial
cultural heritage which was adopted in 2003 and came into force
in 2006, the Cimboa is an integral part of this immaterial cultural
heritage, for three reasons: as an inseparable element of a “social
practice, a ritual or a festive event” within the framework
of its use in the Batuque; as a musical instrument associated
with this practice; and as a “know-how linked to cottage
industry”.
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Contact:
Ms. Marie Andrée DIALLO,
Consultant
Email:ma.diallo@unesco.org
Tel: 33 849 23 23
Fax: 33 823 86 22/23
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