Congo-Brazzaville appoints the first of its “mopacho” dancers

Congo Brazzaville appoints the first of its mopacho dancers

At the end of the first national competition of mopacho, organized by the Ministry of Cultural Industry, Congo-Brazzaville elected Saturday, January 7, the greatest dancer. He is from a region of the Interior. Dance created in 1990 in the capital, the mopacho has been gaining momentum lately, thanks in particular to social networks.

With our correspondent in Brazzaville, Loicia Martial

On the stage of the Canal Olympia cinema instead of the Rond-point Poto-Poto, this competition brought together twelve competitors, representing all the departments of the country. After more than an hour of demonstrations, the jury, which noted that “ the dancers put heart into what they do “, delivered the verdict.

Even the moms danced that too »

The first comes from the Cuvette department (north) “Launched the master of the ceremony. It is therefore Reich Ngassaye Edzoualiko, 22, who is the winner. He received a check for 800,000 CFA francs (more than 1,200 euros) before recalling the history of the dance.

Before the mopacho didn’t dance like that. He danced by pulling only the feet. Even the moms danced that too “, he recalled. From now on, the dancers have their whole body in motion, move their kidneys without stopping, lift their feet a few centimeters from the ground. To these gestures, it is sometimes necessary to add the “rolls” forward and backward.

the satisfied by Lydie Pongault

After presenting the prize to the first winner, in front of two other government colleagues, Lydie Pongault, Minister of Cultural Industry, was delighted with the success of the event: “ All the departments of the Republic were represented today for this competition which we wanted to organize at the beginning of the year 2023, so that at the level of culture we are gathered “, she said.

Candidates from Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire took second and third place respectively.

►Also read : The Congolese rumba, from its origins to its inclusion in the Intangible Heritage of Humanity (December 15, 2021)

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