The timbila of Mozambique in the concert of nations ; Las timbila de Mozambique en el concierto de las naciones ; As timbila de Moçambique no concerto das nações

This article discusses aspects of the Mozambique's “chopi timbila” patrimonialization process that culminated in its proclamation by the Unesco's Intangible Heritage Masterpieces Program in 2005. Inspired by analyzes of objectification and semantic reduction processes involved in the official recognition of expressions as cultural heritage, I approach elements of the timbila's historical and social trajectory to understand its role in the national imagination and its choice as the first intangible cultural element in Mozambique which was enshrined in international arenas. I emphasized all along the text several elements that locate this African country within the scope of its international relations; on the one hand, I discuss some of the dynamics perpetuated by colonialism, which enabled the dissemination of timbila beyond the colonized territory and, on the other hand, I reflect on Mozambique's relationship with Unesco, in light of the country's political history and its reception in relation to certain criteria and understandings of this international organization with regard to intangible heritage. Finally, I highlight the interpretations given by the Mozambican State to Unesco's ideals of social participation and show how the dossier produced by the Mozambican government used the criterion of authenticity in vogue at that time to describe and justify the choice of timbila. ; Este artículo discute aspectos del proceso de patrimonialización de las “timbila chopes” de Mozambique, el cual culminó en su proclamación como obra maestra en el 2005 por el Programa de las Obras Maestras del Patrimonio Oral e Inmaterial de la Humanidad de la Unesco. Inspirada por las discusiones sobre los procesos de objetificación y reducción semántica implicados en el reconocimiento oficial de expresiones tales como patrimonio cultural, abordo elementos de la trayectoria sociohistórica de las timbila buscando comprender su lugar en el imaginario nacional, así como su elección como primer bien cultural inmaterial de Mozambique ...