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The workshop was facilitated by the Bulawayo Hindu Society in conjunction with the Indian Embassy.
The Punjabi Academy performed at the just-ended Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa).
During the workshop the Indian group taught their Zimbabwean counterparts dances such as the Bhangra and Giddha.
The Bhangara dance is performed by the men and entails the movement of the upper torso in a warrior-like movement.
The Giddaha is a dance that is performed by girls and involves the movement of the waist. Both dances are used in courtship.
The Amakhosi Theatre returned the favour by teaching their counterparts local dances such as isitshikitsha, isepata and amabhiza.
In an interview after the workshop, Indian Embassy attaché, Sandeep Kumar, said they were happy to have such an informative workshop with Amakhosi.
“The workshop went well and the Amakhosi people were very cooperative and they taught us energetic dances. We also taught them our own dances,” said Kumar who was heading the delegation.
He said being in Zimbabwe was an experience that they would never forget and their two performances at Hifa were enthralling.
“We had a great time in Zimbabwe and the response from the crowd especially at Hifa was great and we will not forget the experience,” said Kumar.
Amakhosi Documentation Team head, Mzingaye Sibanda, said the cultural exchange was unique and they learnt a lot and other such workshops were on the cards.
“It was a such unique experience to exchange cultural experiences with other people. It was surprising to note that all the people involved in the dance group are professionals such as bankers, doctors, accountants and so on. This shows how they cherish their culture,” he said.
Sibanda said the cultural exchange was not about dance but understanding both countries’ culture.
Mr Vijay Mehta, the chairman of the Bulawayo Hindu Society, said the coming of the dance group was an experience that they would attach importance to for the rest of their lives.
He said the Indian community had been living in Zimbabwe for over a hundred years and were not in touch with their culture.
“Hinduism is a religion and the culture is part of it. We are third and forth generation Indians and dances from our culture we do not know that much. So such events are very commendable,” said Mehta.
He thanked the Indian Embassy for bringing the Punjabi Academy to enhance their culture.
“We value the Indian Embassy in bringing the Punjabi Academy so that we know the various cultural dances. We will be able to teach our children these dances,” said Mehta.
The two cultural groups were set to perform dances they learnt at the workshop last night at Amakhosi Theatre in a free show.
Online Reporter