ELVIRA VIEGAS
Birth, childhood, beginning of career
Elvira Viegas was born on the 2nd of October 1956 in Mafalala, a suburb of Maputo, where she grew up.
Her mother was the conductor of a choir, and rehearsals took place at home. This [I sing for you] allowed Elvira to join in the rehearsals, developing a taste for it and ‘easily picking up the tones,’ as she herself describes.
In 1964, when a key member of the group fell sick, Elvira ended up joining the group as a replacement. She was then 9 years old and sang beautifully.
In 1969, she took part in a singing competition at the Church of Santa Ana [Church of Saint Anne] of Munhuana , coming second and receiving an acoustic guitar as a prize. It was from that moment on that, as a self-taught musician, she committed herself to learning the instrument.
She has three brothers who are all composers and performers.
Elvira Viegas was born on the 2nd of October 1956 in Mafalala, a suburb of Maputo, where she grew up.
Her mother was the conductor of a choir, and rehearsals took place at home. This [I sing for you] allowed Elvira to join in the rehearsals, developing a taste for it and ‘easily picking up the tones,’ as she herself describes.
In 1964, when a key member of the group fell sick, Elvira ended up joining the group as a replacement. She was then 9 years old and sang beautifully.
In 1969, she took part in a singing competition at the Church of Santa Ana [Church of Saint Anne] of Munhuana , coming second and receiving an acoustic guitar as a prize. It was from that moment on that, as a self-taught musician, she committed herself to learning the instrument.
She has three brothers who are all composers and performers.
Career
1980 – Writes and composes the song “Mãe” (Mother).
1981 – Writes and composes the song “Coração de Pedra” (Heart of Stone).
1982 – Participates in the “Canção da Minha Autoria” (The Song I Wrote) contest promoted by the National Directorate of Education and Culture, at the Gil Vicente Theatre, with the Nova Dimensão Group, coming in 2nd place.
1984 – Records the song “Mãe”, inspired by her mother, which was only released on the 7th of April 1985.
1986 – Recording of the song “Coração de pedra”.
1987 – Recording of the songs “Xikala Vitu” (With no Name) and “Canto p’ra Você” (A Song for You).
– Winner of the Best African Female Voice Award in the Descobertas competition promoted by Radio France Internationale. As a result of this success, she had her first performance abroad at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where she also won the Grand Prix du Public Spectateur, receiving the award from Manu Dibango.
1988 – Recording of the first video clip for the song “Grito da Criança” (Child’s Cry).
– Recording of the video clip for the song “Coração de Pedra” (Heart of Stone).
– Participation in various events in support of children.
– Participation in the music festival on the occasion of the forum of Portuguese-speaking journalists in Lisbon.
1990 – Tour of Finland at the invitation of a non-governmental organisation, participating in shows to raise funds for the construction of schools in Mozambique.
1991 – Participation in the Mozambican music, poetry and gastronomy festival in Oporto, Portugal.
1992 – First solo concert entitled “Poço da Vida” (Well of Life) or “Xihlovo xa Vutomi” at Cinema – África, Maputo, in July. In November of the same year, the concert was repeated by popular demand.
1993 – Two concerts in Manzini, Eswatini, at the invitation of the University Campus.
1994 – Production and release of the first cassette compilation, ‘Ndzi Xikala Vitu’.
1995 – Reissue of the cassette compilation and its promotion in Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane.
1998 – Release of the CD ‘Kusuhi Namine’ recorded in South Africa and launched at the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Centre (CCFM).
1999 to 2007 – Conductor of the ISPU Academic Tuna.
2001 – Release of the CD ‘Tlanga u Pimela’ at the CCFM.
2006 – Production and release of the CD ‘The Best Of’ at CCFM.
2012 – Participation in Moreira Chonguiça’s album Kanimambo with the song ‘Xikala Vitu’.
2013 – Music of Mozambique, Gold Collection, The Essentials, with the inclusion of the song ‘Lirere’.
2014 – Participation in the Tribute Album to Alexandre Langa, with the inclusion of the song ‘Loko hi khuluma hi lirandzu’.
2018 – Mozambican Music, Gold Collection, with the inclusion of the song ‘Tiva Tiko’ (Know Your Land).
2020 – Participation in the recording of the song about COVID-19.
2022 – Release of the CD ‘Ora Chegou’ at the UEM Cultural Centre (CCUEM).
Overall:
– She has 101 songs recorded on tape and disc, five of which address domestic violence and HIV/AIDS issues.
– Ninety-nine per cent of the songs are based on poems written in Portuguese, which she later translated and adapted for musical composition.
– In the 1990s, she was the first woman to lead a musical group in the country.
– She plays the guitar and bass guitar and enjoys the saxophone, although she does not play it.
– Recording of the clips Rula, Nwamatibyana 2, Moçambique, Tiva Taku and Hambomba.
Performances
1995 – Promotion of the first cassette compilation in Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane.
1996 – Concert ‘EXPLOSÃO ESPIRITUAL’ (Spiritual Explosion) at the CCFM.
1997 – Concert ‘Sou pequena demais’ (I am too small) at the CCFM.
1998 – Live performance in South Africa.
– Production and staging of a concert at Cinema Scala.
1999 – Concert “Tsendzeleka” at CCFM and Cine-África.
– Production and staging of a tribute show to guitarist SOX at CCFM.
2008 – Concert by the Viegas Brothers at CCFM, performances at the Polana Hotel, VIP Hotel and Avenida Hotel, Matola Municipal Auditorium and Kaya Kwanga.
2009 – Participation in charity events.
– Six shows for private institutions.
2010 – Performances at the Polana Hotel, Cine-África, África Bar and CCFM.
2011 – Concert at Cine-África Bar, performance at the Avenida Hotel.
2013 – Performance at Xima, Zavala, Ascendente on Avenida Acordos de Lusaka, Mulumbela Restaurant on Avenida de Moçambique, Bar dos Amigos in Magoanine, extension of CMC.
2015 – Participation in shows organised by OMM.
– Performance at the graduation ceremony at UEM.
– Participation in an event organised by the São Tomás University.
2016 – Concert celebrating 46 years of career at CCUEM
2017 – Participation in the ‘Celebrando Vida’ (Celebrating Life) concert dedicated to certain individuals from civil society who have contributed to the good of the country in different ways.
2020 – Tribute concert to Edelvina Materula (Kika), Gilberto Mendes, Pérola Jaime and Gabriel Júnior.
– Performance at Masseve in tribute to Dimas (Augusto Dimande), an event organised by Empresa Garson.
2021 – Performance at Masseve, an event organised by Empresa Garson.
– Performance at the first Maguiguana Gala organised by the Maputo Provincial Government.
2022 – Performance at the 50th anniversary of the Matola Local Authority.
– Participation at the Marrabenta Festival
– Celebrating the lives of: David Abilio, Paulina Chiziana, Alvim Cossa, and Carlos Humberto Benfica (Wazimbo).
– Performance at the Ekhaaa – Kongolote Restaurant.
– Performance at the 60th anniversary of FRELIMO.
– Participation in the production of the Masseves Show.
– Launch of the CD ‘Ora Chegou’ at CCUEM.
– Performance at a social event.
– Participation in the Meat Festival in Magude.
2023 – Concert at the Júpiter Restaurant.
– Participation in the show to raise donations to support the victims of flooding in Boane.
– Participation in the Azgo festival.
– Participation in the ceremony, graduation and opening of the academic year at the Legal Training Centre.
– Production and staging of the 7th edition of CELEBRANDO VIDA (CELEBRATING LIFE).
– Participation in the Wazimbo anniversary show.
– Participation in the concert celebrating 50 years of Tintas CIN.
– Concert at SONITAL PLAZZA.
2024 – Participation in the Ta Basilly show at Toca do Lobo (Wolf’s Den).
– Organisation and production of the 8th edition of CELEBRANDO VIDA (CELEBRATING LIFE) on the 2nd February.
– Concert at the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Centre (CCFM).
– Participation in the Des-Concertando Concert at the CCMC – an initiative of the MPDC.
– Performance in tribute to Ana Magaia, Marcelo Panguana, Noel Langa and Isaú Meneses.
– Concert at the Cardoso Hotel.
– Participation in the launch of José Craveirinha’s book at the CCMC.
– Concert at the MONARCHY Restaurant.
– Concert at the Barricão Restaurant.
– Concert on Civil Servant Day – Matola.
– Live performance at Praça da Independência (Independence Square) – 25th June.
2025 – Performance celebrating 50 years of career at the Mozambique China Cultural Centre (CCMC).
Throughout her career
– Participation in various charity shows and other commercial shows.
– She has 101 songs recorded on tape and disc, five of which address domestic violence and HIV/AIDS issues.
Discography
On cassette
“Ndzi Xikala Vitu”
On CD
“Nfzi Xikala Vitu”
“Kusuhi Namine”
“Tlanga Upimela”
“The best of Elvira Viegas”
“Venho de Longe”
“Ora Chegou”
Cultural Activities
2000 – Creation of the Kutenga Artists’ House – Matola.
2007 – Participation as a member of the jury at the FAMA SHOW.
2011 – Production and staging of the Women and Art Workshop (show).
2014 – Inauguration of the Kutenga Artist House.
– Staging of the first “Celebrating Life” event.
2015 – Jury member in the competition (Desafio Total).
2016 – Jury member in the competition (Desafio Total).
2018 – Participation in the Tribute to the Dean of Mozambican music, Dilon Ndjindje.
2019 – Participation in the Tribute to Glória Muianga, Izidine Fakirá, both from Rádio Moçambique, and Ivone Mahumane, former Secretary General of Continuadores.
Throughout her career
– Member of the jury at Ngoma Moçambique on several occasions and at Top Feminino, FAMA SHOW, Canto Coral, among other artistic activities.
Event Organisation
– Production and staging of 48 concerts.
– Production and staging of gala events (dinners and/or other types of ceremonies).
– Production and staging of 79 musical shows (individual).
– Production of 11 workshops – show on Women and Art – CCFM, Gil Vicente, Cine Africa, Cine Madjedje.
– Production and staging of the competition ‘I can sing, can you?’ at the Ngomene Cultural Centre (Musicians’ Association) and at the Kutenga Artists’ House – Matola, for children and teenagers.
Academic Qualifications
– Degree in Communication Sciences, Postgraduate degree in Public Administration.
Professional Activity
– Teaching, having initially taken the primary school teacher training course from 1969 to 1994.
Cultural Activist
– Member of Casa d’Artista Kutenga, focused on art, celebrating 10 years of activity in this role this year.
– Advisor to the Mayor of Matola.
