The National Song and Dance Company of Mozambique opened their China tour with a performance in Beijing on June 9 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic Relations between China and the southeast African nation.

The ensemble performed traditional and folk songs and traditional dances, including Xigubu, Mapiko, Tufu, Makhwayi, Semba, Nyau and Niketxe.

The show also included a short drama "Wild Bird" adapted from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "Wild Swan," and a contemporary dance "Root, Challenge and Globalization."

The National Song and Dance Company of Mozambique was formed from an amateur troupe in 1979. Since then, more and more famous performers have joined and in 1983 the company turned professional. In order to collect, preserve and value the variety of folk songs and dances, the company sends its members out to villages to learn from the people every year.

(ChinaCulture.org June 15, 2005)