Smile trio Mozambique

Smile Trio

Mozambique

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About Us

Smile trio

Since 2003, we have been doing work of great importance, using dance and music

as instruments of change and universal communication. During our 15 years of

career, we had the opportunity of participating in important festivals and cultural

events in countries such as: China, South Africa, Brazil, Belgium, United States of

America, United Arab Emirates, France, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland,

The Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Eswathini, e.t.c...

we are Three professional artists from the Hodi Maputo Afro Swing Cultural Association in Mozambique.

We are specialized in:

Traditional Mozambican dance
Music
Percussion
Traditional Mozambican songs
Afro Swing
Lindy Hop and
Modern dances

Our Work

What is

Afroswing?

LouisLou's Dance Madness Lhangano 2018

in collaboration with LouisLou Gent

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Swing africa Montepellier 2021

in collaboration with Swinging montpellier France

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Our workshops

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The purpose of our workshops is to share our experiences about Mozambican dance, music, traditional music instruments, languages and the history of the people through dance. We also explore different kind of Mozambican dance concepts, from ceremonial dances, festive and dances of resistance. Since the arrival of swingdances in Mozambique we have been researching about African influences into Afro-American dances, and see how we can contribute for better community and bring spirit and the values of dance to all dance lovers. We teach dance and percussion for adults, children, and everyone that is curious about dance, music and learning about African culture. Most of our classes are done with live music and singing.

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Teachers

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Elias Manhiça and Augusto Manhiça

Elias and Augusto are also known as “Gêmeos Manhiça” (the Manhiça Twins). They were born in a culturally rich family and started their first cultural group already in 2003 called “Crianças da Paz”(Children of Peace) where music, song and dance were inseparable. They soon joined the dance company Wuchene and later created Hodi Maputo Afro Swing where Elias now is a musician and general coordinator of Mozambique Afro Swing Exchange and Augusto the musical director. They are also the band leaders of Banda Hodi which is known for its growing popularity in Mozambique. During their career they have performed in Sweden, China, South Africa, Belgium, Denmark, Ivory Coast, France, Germany, The Netherlands, and Brazil at Festival Folclórico de Passo Fundo and New York at the Frankie 100 celebrations.

They have attended some of the biggest dance and music festivals such as Herrang Dance Camp, Burning Swing, Gentse Feesten, Life Ful Festival Stockholm kultur Festival, Macau International Parede, Lusofony Macau Festival, Mother City Hop, Shangay World Expo and many others.

Eugênio Macuvel

Eugênio has been a choreographer since the age of 14 and the Artistic Director of Hodi Maputo Afro Swing since the start of the company in 2014. Dancing and singing was a natural part of Eugenio’s childhood and he was fast to develop his skills. He started “Crianças da Paz” (Children of Peace) together with the Manhiça twins at the age of 12 and became the young choreographer of Wuchene at the age of 14. During his time as choreographer he has trained many of the members of Hodi Maputo Afro Swing when they were part of “Wuchene Junior” that he initiated to create future dancers. He has through the years put together choreographies with up to 50 dancers on stage, been part of producing many artistic pieces on major stages and has performed and choreographed in different parts of the world such as South Africa, Sweden, China, Belgium, Denmark, Ivory Coast, France, Germany, The Netherlands and Brazil. As a dancer and dance teacher, Eugenio had the honor of participating in major dance festivals around the world and collaborated with great dance figures such as: Fredrik Dalberg, Chester A.Whitmore, Remi Kouakou Kouame, Marie N’diaye, Valerie Salstrom, Angela Andrew, Lisa Josefsson, Mickey Davidson, Felix Berghall and many others.