Nyttu Chongo

About the Artist: Nyttu Chongo is an experienced musician and composer from Maputo, Mozambique, now based in  Minnesota. He specializing in building, repairing, and playing a wide array of traditional Mozambican and Rwandan instruments and is dedicated to preserving and sharing the cultural heritage of his ancestors and sparking curiosity in the universal language of music. Chongo presents an interactive, hands-on workshop inspiring audiences of all ages with the rich sounds and cultural significance of African instruments, fostering a deeper understanding of music, history, and cultural traditions.   

Program Description: In his Class Notes Concert, Nyttu Chongo introduces students to Traditional Sub-Saharan African instruments, their sounds, and histories, including the Inanga (Rwanda and Burundi), Mbira (Zimbabwe and Mozambique), and several other instruments which may include the Timbila, Xitende, Xipendane, Xigovinya, Xizambe, and Pwangue (Mozambique).  

Together with Nyttu, students will improvise musical compositions based on call-and-response patterns. They will learn the names, characteristics, and origins of each instrument presented and understand how each instrument is played.  

Sample Music: