Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
ZIMBABWEAN traditional musician Jacob Mafuleni took the country’s rich musical heritage to France, where he participated in the “From Zimbabwe to La Broussaille” festival held from October 9 to 11.
The event, titled Du Zimbabwe à La Broussaille: Quand l’art prend soin (From Zimbabwe to La Broussaille: When Art Cares), was held at La Broussaille in Saint-Martin-Château and neighbouring venues, bringing together conversations on mental health, art and cultural expression.
On stage, Mafuleni was joined by a band comprising Oscar Desbois (vibraphone), Jeannot Salvatori (saxophone), Arthur Gilet (saxophone), as wsell as Fidel Castro (congas)
Mafuleni, a celebrated mbira player, was invited to share his music with audiences interested in the relationship between artistic expression and mental well-being.
His participation placed Zimbabwean traditional music within a broader international discussion on how the arts can contribute to individual and community well-being.
The three-day gathering featured concerts, workshops, performances, photography exhibitions and panel discussions exploring mental health from African and European perspectives.
Organisers highlighted Zimbabwe as a country where ancestral traditions, contemporary artistic practices and innovative approaches to mental health care intersect, providing opportunities for cultural exchange and learning.
Mafuleni’s participation also offered an opportunity to introduce audiences to the mbira, a traditional instrument deeply rooted in Zimbabwean Shona culture and associated with ancestral music, storytelling and communal gatherings.
Meanwhile, Mafuleni’s international appearance comes amid growing interest in collaborations that bring Zimbabwean musical traditions into dialogue with other cultures.
The musician has previously been involved in cross-cultural musical collaborations, including Under the Same Sun: Where the Groove Meets the Guitar, a project presented in Harare in June by the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe in partnership with Sofar Harare.
The project brought together Mafuleni, Spanish flamenco guitarist Juan Cruz Palacios and Zimbabwean guitarist Trust Samende.
