. . . as Murewa cultural fete kicks off

be graced by a number of chiefs, among them Chief Jonathan Mangwende.
Murewa Culture Centre manager Cuthbert Maziwa said the bira would be conducted overnight till Friday morning.
During that time mbira groups Mbira DzeNharira and Dandanda will join a host of other traditional outfits in providing entertainment.
After the official opening of the festival, many theatrical productions are expected to take centre stage and will be complemented with music from Progress Chipfumo and Gift Amuli, who are expected to play well into the night.
Other traditional acts like Ngoma Dzepasi Shingai Mbende Jerusarema from Uzumba are also expected to entertain the legions of art lovers.
During the five-day cultural fete, Club Shanga of Marondera and Blessing Shumba are also expected                to make their maiden appearance at the annual event, in a performance that is expected to illuminate the fete.
“This festival is not only for musical groups to perform but also gives the opportunity to sculptors to exhibit their products.
“Sculptors like Douglas Benhura, Tapfuma and Luckson Gutsa and Tuckson Munezwa among other sculptors will be showcasing their products,” said Maziwa.
Saturday afternoon will see artistes being picked randomly to perform with Kwachu Kwachu hitmaker Hosiah Chipanga, Blackway while a surprise group from South Africa is also expected to be part of the carnival atmosphere.
The curtain will come down on Sunday, which has been set aside as an exhibition day where local artistes will display their wares.
Meanwhile, this year’s festival has attracted filmmakers where Mbende Jerusarema dances will be documented as a film for the first time since the festival was established.
In an interview, Donald Tafadzwa Chindoori — one of the people involved in the production — said it was borne out of the need to appreciate local dances.
“Our cultural dances are well recognised internationally but they is nothing much that has been done locally to promote such types of dances hence our coming up with such an initiative to be part and parcel of this festival,” said Chindoori.
The film will feature veteran drummer Douglas Vambe, who will appear in a scene which captures the  transfer of knowledge from the older generation to new generation, a part that will be played by an 11-year-old pupil.
The festival was founded in 2009 to fulfil Chief Mangwende’s desire to unify the people by celebrating the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Murewa, through the Murehwa Culture Centre.
The centre was established in 1984 in Murewa District as a model facility for arts and culture promotion and development as well as a responsive initiative to the cultural policy of Zimbabwe.
As the name suggests, the complex is designed in a manner reflective of Zimbabwe’s culture, vis-à-vis “village architecture”.
It is the “prototype” centre for study, promotion, retention, meaningful and dynamising of the Zimbabwean culture.
The centre boasts, among many other facilities, a library, museum and an art gallery. Local attractions such as the Murewa Caves in particular and the authentic nature of its environs in general as well as its proximity to Harare make it an ideal setting to celebrate Zimbabwean culture.