tajuma
Tajuma is a traditional ritual performance rooted in the coastal cultures of the Mirita Archipelago. In the local lexicon tajuma is often translated as a gathering of memory or shared remembrance, though meanings vary by island. The practice centers on communal storytelling expressed through singing, dancing, and improvised verse. Tajuma performances are typically held during key seasonal events, such as the harvest festival and the first rains, and are sometimes incorporated into ceremonial processions.
History and diffusion: The earliest documented accounts appear in 18th-century merchant logs and ethnographic notes, though
Structure and elements: A tajuma begins with a call-and-response vocal section led by a lead singer or
Contemporary status: Tajuma remains an important element of cultural identity for many communities in the archipelago.