It was supposed to be untrue, but it's a fact. The last concert of Dilon Djindji, the king of *marrabenta*, has already taken place. And most likely, no one realized it would be his farewell performance. His vitality, even close to 100 years old, deceived us. Dilon seemed eternal, but, like everyone, he needed to rest.
In the early hours of Tuesday, September 17, the artist took his final breath. Tomorrow, his audience will pay him their final tribute. The sadness is inevitable; after all, if there is one mystery that humanity never solves, and can never get used to, it is death.
Dilon, however, is now part of eternity, immortalized through his works and the albums he left behind. In one of his songs, he seems to anticipate his departure. He bids farewell to his beloved homeland, singing in xichanga:
"In Marracuene, they cry / They cry for Dilon / Dilon is leaving / They'll have to move on."
Curiously, this is one of the most popular songs by the author of "Podina". At 97, Dilon leaves behind the legacy of someone who loved music as passionately as he loved his land. Marracuene, in turn, honored him while he was alive, naming a street and painting a mural in his honor.
Now, all that remains is to fulfill his dream of turning his house into a museum. Let the place tell the story of the man who, from a small part of Maputo province and with a homemade guitar crafted from tin, wood, and strings, conquered the world.
(By Mozavibe)
