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Summary:

This lively, haunting and bittersweet memoir was shot July 1973 in Mozambique before 20 years of civil war and severe drought almost entirely devastated Chopi culture. The film, a scrapbook of sorts, is one of the few remaining records of Chopi life before the horrors, and is attended at its conclusion by footage of what remained of Chopi life 20 years later. For the Chopi, music is an integral part of every stage of one's life. 'A Spirit Here Today' explores the Chopi's interwoven matrix of music and personal development, from youth into adulthood, where one graduates from 'smaller musics' to the ultimate Chopi expression: the timbila xylophone orchestra. Throughout the movie, the path of personal development is paralleled with stages of musical education. Song text is explained to illuminate Chopi values, humor and identity. Chopi master musician Venancio Mbande collaborated with the filmmakers in production and post-production. He provided new translations to old songs, verified the contexts of the performances, and thus ensured an exact presentation of a way of life that has forever changed.

Contributors:

Zantzinger, Alfred Gei , director, producer

Bailey, Michael , producer

Insinger, Franka , narrator

Mbande, Venancio , interviewee, performer

Constant Spring Productions , production company, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/prn

Languages:

Bantu (Other)
English

Language Notes:

In Chopi and English with English subtitles.

Subjects:

Chopi (African people) — Mozambique — Songs and music

Folk songs, Chopi — Mozambique

Folk dance music — Mozambique

Xylophone music

Mozambique — History

Mozambique — Social life and customs

Chopi (African people)

Folk songs, Chopi

Folk dance music

Manners and customs

Mozambique

Genres:

Documentary films

Online media

Internet videos

History

Songs and music

General Notes:

Title from resource description page (viewed January 12, 2022).
Streaming media.
Restricted to the University of North Texas System.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (1 video file (44 mins.))

Digital Characteristics:

video file

Call Numbers:

Online Video

OCLC Numbers:

1296420120

Other Control Numbers:

99571271400971 (source: VaAlASP)
5157933 (source: VaAlASP)
[Unknown Type]: ASP5157933/avon