adminYeukai Karengezeka Arts Correspondent
All is set for the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional dance festival finals to be held on August 23 at Harare Gardens.
The finals will see 10 provincial champions from across Zimbabwe battling it out for the grand prize of $4 000 in store for the winner.
First and second runners-up will walk away with $3 000 and $2 000 each respectively.
Delta Beverages Marketing Executive, Stanley Muchenje has urged people to come in their numbers for the big event.
“We invite the public to come through and enjoy the best of traditional dance from across the length and breadth of the country.
“Chibuku exists to add enjoyment to the lives of our consumers and we are proud to be working with our partners to do just that,” he said.
Nyau dances have proved to be popular with the crowds in past competitions.
Mashonaland West winners, Nengoma Cultural Arts group will be representing their home province and performing the Dinhe dance whilst Mashonaland Central winners, Swerengoma do the Mbende/Jerusarema dance.
Mashonaland East winners Ngoma Dzepasi will also be performing Mbende while Harare province winners Chitukuko Nyau and Midlands winners, Zikuvave will provide entertainment with Zambia Gure, which has previously dominated the competitions due to its colourful costumes and captivating choreography.
Masvingo winners MUSA Prison will be dancing the Bira dance while Manicaland’s Redwing group will do the Beni Aronoti dance and Bulawayo’s Sekunjalo MaAfrica present the Umzansi Dance.
Rounding up the list of performances are Matebeleland winners, Simunye Arts from the North and Chimtali How Mine from the South who will respectively be dancing to Chinyambera and Chimtali.
Last year’s winners were from Bulawayo and romped to victory with a Tswana inspired dance, Setapa.
The Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance festival is a tripartite programme, organised by the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association, the National Arts Council and sponsored by Delta Beverages Chibuku brand.
The festival which turns 51 this year is one of the longest running arts sponsorships programmes in the country.
It has also helped to unearth raw talent.
Online Reporter