Online Reporter
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE search for the 2025 Chibuku Traditional Dance champions is in full swing, with the preliminaries progressing as planned.
Dinhe musical ensemble Semvumba Group won the sole ticket to represent Manicaland during the provincial finals held at Muchina Muhombe Bar in Mutare.
The Chenhaka Group, showcasing the Chinyambera dance, came second, while the Makoni Arts Ensemble finished third with their performance of Zhana.
Other participating groups included Mansa Mutare Remand (Jerusarema Mbende), Mbiriyakare (Mangoni), Watyemhembwe (Jaka), Chivaraidze Chipinge Prisons (Muchongoyo), Charurwa (Muchongoyo), and Redwing Beni Arinote (Beni Arinote).
For their victory, the Semvumba Group will join the Undi Group from the Midlands for the upcoming national finals.
The prize money of US$15,000 at stake has boosted the appeal of this year’s competition, with second and third-place finalists set to receive US$10,000 and US$7,500, respectively.
Running under the theme “Ngoma Ngairire Shamwari, Tshay’sgubhu Mngane,” this initiative is a collaborative effort between the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA), with Delta Beverages sponsoring through their Chibuku brand.
At the provincial level, winners will receive US$2,500, while second and third place will earn US$1,500 and US$$1,000.
The festival will continue its provincial tour, with finals scheduled for Hwange (Matabeleland North) and Banket (Mashonaland West) on May 31; Chiredzi (Masvingo) on June 7; Mutoko (Mashonaland East) and Beitbridge (Matabeleland South) on June 14; Mabvuku, Harare on June 21; Bulawayo (Manor Hotel) on June 28; and Shamva (Mashonaland Central) on July 5.
For over 60 years, the festival has served as a beacon of traditional arts, revitalising indigenous dance forms and empowering local communities.
Consolation prizes will be awarded to all participating groups, with the top three receiving substantial rewards.
Coinciding with the Culture Month celebrations, the Mutare show provided a prime opportunity for traditional dancers in Manicaland to showcase their rich heritage.
The Tipaz Night Club in Svamva will host the Mashonaland Central finals on July 5.
Nyau dancers dominated the Midlands finals, which were won by the Undi Group.
The continued success of Nyau dancers in the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance competition underscores the importance of cultural pride and dedication. Nyau dancers take pride in their culture, which makes them unique.
NACZ representative Agga Nyabinde highlighted why Nyau dancers are excelling in this contest.
“The dominance of Nyau dancers in this competition demonstrates how deeply proud these dancers are of their heritage,” Nyabinde stated.
“If you observe closely, it’s clear that it’s their way of life, something they embody every day. You can easily see that dancing has become their lifestyle.”
Nyabinde urged other traditional dance groups to draw inspiration from the Nyau dancers.
“As an association representing artists, we are proud of them because they are genuinely pursuing their passion,” he said.
“I wish other traditional groups could emulate them. It’s unfortunate that some only come together for competitions. You wouldn’t even recognise them as dancers if you met them on the street. However, with the Gure dancers, it’s easy to identify them because they are so distinct.”
Last year, the Nyaungwe Arts Ensemble from Mashonaland East stole the spotlight with a breathtaking performance of the Mbende dance, clinching the national title at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo.
Londile Moyo