Idio Chichava
„Fictional Stories in Movement“
August 4 – 8, 2026
9.30 – 11.30 H
Professionals
12.00 – 14.00 H
Advanced
Muffathalle Studios
Zellstraße 4
Studio E
In English
The workshop teaches methods for expanding body awareness and combines the language of dance, aesthetic perception, and creative processes. It draws on elements of traditional Mozambican dances such as Makwaela, Xigubo, and Mapiko. Their principles of energy, rhythm, and repetition form the basis for exploring movement, presence, and expression.
After Mozambique’s independence, Makwaela evolved into a voice of the working class and addresses social themes such as tradition, family, and politics. The Makonde mask dance Mapiko is part of initiation rituals and explores the transition to adulthood as well as the contrast between good and evil. Xigubo, a traditional warrior dance, symbolizes community, historical memory, and resistance to colonialism.
The workshop focuses on the relationship between the body and space, as well as between inner perception and outward effect. Through improvisation and spontaneous choreographic composition, participants explore different qualities of movement and develop their own forms of expression. This approach also forms the choreographic foundation of Idio Chichava’s piece “VAGABUNDUS”, which will be presented as part of the TANZWERKSTATT EUROPA performance program.
Participants will practice basic movement patterns such as bending, stretching, turning, and moving. The focus will be on musicality, rhythm, breathing, the conscious use of energy, and the interplay of bodies in space. In addition, endurance and physical stability will be strengthened.
Basic concepts for the acquisition of expressive movement are developed:
- Body awareness
- Concept of presence, improvisation and composition of spontaneous choreography
- Concept of movement – elements of movement analysis
- How much energy or force is used during the movement? Emphasis on respiratory control
- Main movements performed by the human body (flexion - extension, elevation - lowering, inclination - flexion, rotation, circular movement, twisting and moving)
- Auditory perception: musicality and rhythm