After decades of civil war, Mozambique adopted a democratic system with the first elections held in 1994. Although the country now has a progressive constitution which enshrines basic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of association, and the right to information, in reality Mozambicans face high levels of corruption, lack of transparency from government bodies, and the fear of persecution for voicing opposition. Madjuba: Quest for the Talisman aims to show people that there are ways to initiate change.
The drama follows the tale of a community that gathers nightly around the fire to hear a wise storyteller weave a tale of adventure and fantasy. Little do they know that the magic of the story has transported their stubborn neighbour Arlindo to a far off fantasy world where he has become the unwitting long-awaited hero, Chamwari. As Chamwari seeks the talisman that will transform the land, the village listeners realise that they too have the power to speak up and help make the changes in their community they want to see.
Madjuba was produced as part of UNESCO's Strengthening Local Development in Mozambique through Expanded Access to Information and Communication programme. "The drama is an entertaining look at how people can be part of local governance and development," says Noel Chicuecue of UNESCO.
Over the course of the story the hero, along with his allies, travel through different lands, each with a task or problem to overcome related to key governance issues: accountability/ transparency, civic participation and the need for a strong civil society, freedom of expression, and political intolerance.
Many of the characters were inspired by Mozambican folklore - for example, the fallen King has characteristics of the Lion, and the dark force speaks and acts like the Mamba. The mystical Storyteller becomes the narrator, who helps move the story along, and explain events.
"Madjuba has a rich, three-dimensional soundscape and unfolds like a blockbuster feature film, while at the same time illustrating how ordinary people can work together to bring positive changes to their communities," says Deborah Walter, director of CMFD Productions.
The major protests last year in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, over public transport and bread prices, as well as international upheavals such as those taking place in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya show that citizens all over Africa are beginning to hold their governments to account. With it's focus on community mobilisation and non-violent protest, the messages in Majuba: Quest for the Talisman are particularly relevant.
The large-scale production involved over 50 local actors and recordings took place in Maputo and Beira. The script was drafted by scriptwriter Evaristo Abreu, who has over 25 years experience in the field of drama. Since 1984 he has directed and performed in about 100 conventional and community plays produced by the Tchova Xita Duma, Mutumbela Gogo and Mbêu theatre groups, as well as participated in festivals and conferences in Europe, Brazil, southern Africa and the Maghreb, including producing the Festival International de Teatro D'Agosto from 1999 to 2005.
The drama is part of UNESCO's mission to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.
