Maputo mural honours musician Xidimingwana's 90th birthday
Artist Sebastião Coana's work on Salazar Building in Malhangalene celebrates the marrabenta legend.
A mural celebrating the 90th birthday of marrabenta musician Xidimingwana now adorns Maputo's landscape. Artist Sebastião Coana created the artwork on the Salazar Building in Malhangalene, with support from Millennium bim. The inauguration ceremony on November 10 was led by Maputo Municipal Council President Rasaque Manhique.
The mural depicts the life and career of Domingos Matias Honwana, known as Xidimingwana, who was born in Bilene-Macia in 1936. Rui Pedro, President of Millennium bim's Executive Commission, stated the tribute recognizes Xidimingwana's cultural importance, noting his songs accompanied generations and helped tell Mozambique's stories. The artwork aims to keep his journey visible and accessible in the city.
This project, a challenge from the Maputo Municipal Council to Coana, bridges artistic generations by interpreting Xidimingwana's marrabenta legacy through a contemporary lens. The mural transforms the building's facade into a public space where music, painting, and urban life converge, ensuring the tribute continues beyond its unveiling.
Why it mattersThe mural honours Xidimingwana, a significant figure in Mozambican music, on his 90th birthday.