By Gcwalisile Mhlabane (Intern)
MBABANE – A global sound storm is heading to Eswatini.
One of Asia’s most electrifying voices, Abao, will bring her soulful fusion of Indigenous Taiwanese music, pop, and rock to the MTN Bushfire Festival 2025, happening from May 30 to June 1,2025 at the beloved House on Fire venue.
Abao, born Aljenljeng Tjaluvie, is a 43-year-old trailblazer from Taitung County, Taiwan, and a proud member of the Paiwan people. She’ll be gracing the Main Stage on Saturday, May 31, with a powerful performance that weaves modern musical textures with ancestral spirit and storytelling.
Bursting onto the scene in 2003 as part of the duo Abao & Brandy, she captured hearts and won the Golden Melody Award for Best Vocal Ensemble. Since then, she has grown into a global ambassador for Paiwan culture, using her voice to revive and celebrate Indigenous identity through music.
Her critically acclaimed albums Vavayan (“Woman”) and Kinakaian (“Mother Tongue”) are performed in Paiwan and have earned her accolades for their bold blend of the traditional and contemporary.
Abao joins a world-class lineup that defines what MTN Bushfire is all about—cross-cultural collaboration and sonic exploration. International acts this year include:
40ml (Mozambique)
Candeleros (Spain/Colombia/Venezuela)
Jembaa Groove (Ghana/Germany/Benin/Israel/Cuba/Portugal)
Steam Down & Zara McFarlane (UK)
Expect genre-defying performances and thrilling collaborations that span continents and cultures.
MTN Bushfire is not just about the music. It’s a socially conscious, family-friendly celebration known for its inclusive ethos, captured in the call to action: #BRINGYOURFIRE. The event attracts thousands of fire starters from across the globe that come together for a shared experience of music, art, sustainability, and activism.
With Abao’s heartfelt presence and a line-up bursting with global talent, this year’s festival promises to be one of the most memorable editions yet.
