Cheny Wa Gune

Cheny Wa Gune is a talented multi-instrumentalist musician, composer, performer, music producer, teacher, and researcher, specializing in crafting traditional Mozambican instruments such as the timbila (xylophone), chitende, chigóvia, and various types of drums.

 

His work masterfully fuses traditional Mozambican instruments with conventional ones, creating a unique and innovative sound.

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Born on August 1, 1980, in Maputo, Cheny Wa Gune hails from a family of musicians from the Inhambane province, Zavala district, Gune locality. From an early age, he was influenced by the region's rich musical heritage. In 1992, he began his formal studies at the Novos Raios School of Singing and Dance in the Unidade 7 neighborhood on the outskirts of Maputo.

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In 1997, he co-founded the band Timbila Muzimba, gaining significant prominence both in Mozambique and internationally through extensive touring. In 2007, he launched his solo career with the Cheny Wa Gune Quartet, achieving notable success in recent years by performing at festivals across Mozambique, Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

 

Cheny is also a frequent collaborator in numerous cultural exchange projects, working with national and international artists and playing a key role in promoting traditional Mozambican music.

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Beyond his performance career, in February 2024, he launched his own brand of timbilainstruments named Wa Gune "WG", contributing to the preservation and promotion of Mozambican musical tradition.