Balumuka Noite de Dipanda event Photography and Film Highlight from Friday, November 2 nd 2023 to Monday, November 5th, 2023 Houston, Texas, captured by Antonio Medina Photography of Cidade Visual Arts
Houston, Prepare for a journey into the heart of Angolan culture as BALUMUKA Fest gears up for its annual extravaganza!
This three-day cultural celebration, from Nov. 1 to 4, promises a vibrant fusion of Angolan fashion, food, music, and dance in the heart of Houston.
Attendees will dive into the sweet sounds of Kilapanga, Ghettozouk, Kizomba, Semba, Balada, and Salsa, courtesy of Angola Music Awards Kizomba of the Year nominee Livongh and famous Angolan Kizomba artist Ivan Alekxei.
The Defender had the pleasure of speaking with one of the visionaries behind the festival, esteemed radio and event host Gil Ingles. He will unravel the history, significance, and sheer fun awaiting festival-goers.
Defender: What inspired the creation of the BALUMUKA Fest, and what is its historical background?
Ingles: Aside from preserving the culture and having an opportunity to gather all Angolans and friends of Angola, the inspiration was also to find and showcase cultural commonalities between Africa (more specifically Angola) and its Diaspora.
BALUMUKA Fest is the initiative of party DJ Ross (Rosario Luis), Kizomba/Kompa dance instructor Lelis Manuel, and producer myself. Rosario and Lelis promoted Noite da Dipanda (the Angolan Independence Anniversary Party in Florida). At the same time, I presented the official peace and independence parties in North America.
My suggestion was to move the event from Florida to Houston and upgrade it to an entire three-day cultural festival to meet the need for an authentic Angolan cultural experience. With the growth of the Kizomba scene globally, North America needed a central, Authentic, and well-curated event to showcase Angolan art, dance, fashion, gastronomy, etc.
So it was natural that “Noite da Dipanda” would become BALUMUKA Fest, the Ultimate Kizomba Party Experience, where Kizomba promoters, artists, dancers, and entrepreneurs could showcase the culture. BALUMUKA Fest can be considered the “Brand Angola and its Diaspora” event.
A bit of context:
Historically, Angola tends to have two major celebrations in the Diaspora USA, sponsored by local promoters, community associations, and the Embassy or General Consulate of the Republic of Angola: the anniversary of Peace and Reconciliation in April and the anniversary of Independence Day in November.
Due to the growth of the Kizomba scene in 2023, the organizers decided to create the biggest Festival of Angola in North America to gather the Diaspora and the Continent in one place annually.
Defender: How does BALUMUKA Fest contribute to preserving and promoting Angolan culture in Houston?
Ingles: BALUMUKA Fest contributes to preserving Angolan Culture through cultural exchange and by ensuring that the Diaspora gets a chance to experience the culture in an authentic setting.
For example, in 2023, festival attendees had the opportunity to learn the choreography for the famous song ‘Jerusalem’ from its creator (Adilson Maisa) and take Kizomba dance classes from some of the best instructors worldwide.
Some of the Festival’s most significant impacts are the Sunday Branch workshops designed for diaspora parents and children. These activities allow parents and children to learn about the continent’s culture and acclimate to the diaspora’s culture.
Defender: Can you elaborate on the selection process for featured artists like Livongh and Ivan Alekxei?
Ingles: We are committed to showcasing the commonalities that exist between Angola and the United States, Africa, and its Diaspora, and Angola us as the human race; therefore, in the process of selecting the artists Livongh and Ivan Alekxei, we took into account their merit and legitimacy in Kizomba scene, as well as their artistic commitment to the authentic African Sound. Livongh, for instance, is an artist who fuses Angolan Semba, Kilapanga, Caboverdean Koladera, Zouk, Salsa, Merengue, and Kompa. On the other hand, Ivan Alekxei comes from a fusion of Southern African tribal sounds like Amampiano, Afrohouse, Semba, and urban house/club music. Being authentic to the culture is critical because we can only stop cultural appropriation through authenticity.
Balumuka Noite de Dipanda event Photography and Film Highlight from Friday, November 2 nd 2023 to Monday, November 5th, 2023 Houston, Texas, captured by Antonio Medina Photography of Cidade Visual Arts
Balumuka Noite de Dipanda event Photography and Film Highlight from Friday, November 2 nd 2023 to Monday, November 5th, 2023 Houston, Texas, captured by Antonio Medina Photography of Cidade Visual Arts
Balumuka Noite de Dipanda event Photography and Film Highlight from Friday, November 2 nd 2023 to Monday, November 5th, 2023 Houston, Texas, captured by Antonio Medina Photography of Cidade Visual Arts
Balumuka Noite de Dipanda event Photography and Film Highlight from Friday, November 2 nd 2023 to Monday, November 5th, 2023 Houston, Texas, captured by Antonio Medina Photography of Cidade Visual Arts
Defender: What aspects of Angolan heritage does BALUMUKA Fest specifically focus on during its three-day celebration?
Ingles: The three days of BALUMUKA Fest focus on urban and traditional culture, such as dance, art, music, fashion, food, sports, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and reinforcing the family and community bond.
Defender: How has BALUMUKA Fest evolved since its inception, and what changes can attendees expect in the 2024 edition?
Ingles: BALUMUKA Fest went from being ‘Noite da Dipanda,’ an evening party event, into becoming the most extensive showcase of Angolan Culture in North America.
The GALA, the awards ceremony, live music concerts, and the Sunday family branch for children were the hits in 2023. In 2024, we are adding a Business/Entrepreneurship Conference, a financial literacy workshop, and student awards recognition.
Defender: In what ways does BALUMUKA Fest engage the local community and foster cross-cultural connections between Angola and the United States?
Ingles: In all ways possible. We started with Dance Kizomba by bringing the best Artists, DJs, dancers, and dance instructors under the same roof in Houston, Texas, to foster a networking environment where healthy, lucrative, and beneficial partnerships can be fostered.
So we’re more than just cultural exchange. This cultural celebration heritage bridges the African country of Angola and the United States of America.
We’re creating a 72-hour event where all good things are fostered. Believe it or not, Kizomba music and dance are authentic therapy. We even have couples who have met at Kizomba events and are married today with children and business ventures.
