adminSophia Chese-Msowa : Arts Correspondent
“Independent groups are encouraged to register as members of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association before they can benefit from such events in order to satisfy the dedicated members as well and to promote growth of the association.” The Chibuku Neshamwari Dance Festival provincial competitions kick off in Harare this weekend.
After Harare they will move to all the country’s provinces every Saturday except for the week between May 21 and 27, which is Culture Week.
Bulawayo will host this year’s dance festival finals.
In an interview, the organisation’s president and executive director Kennedy Kachurukwa said all was now in place for the Traditional Dance Festival which will run from May 14 ending to July 16.
“We are happy to say that everything is now in place for the festival and we will be looking at people who are 18 years of age and above to suit the sponsor’s position in terms of the brand Chibuku,” he said.
Kachurukwa added that groups to participate should be registered members of the Zimbabwe Traditional Dancers Association.
“Independent groups are encouraged to register as members of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association before they can benefit from such events in order to satisfy the dedicated members as well and to promote growth of the association,” he said.
He said the main aim of the festival is the preservation of intangible cultural heritage and promoting participation of traditional dances for generational inheritance.
Meanwhile, Mashonaland East outfit, Makarekare Dance Troupe were crowned national traditional dance champions at the 52nd edition of the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival, at an event that was held at Bulawayo’s White City stadium.
Other groups that took part in last year’s finals included Ezimnyama (Bulawayo), Jahunda Community Arts (Matabeleland South), Undi Gure (Midlands), Gango Traditional Group (Masvingo), Dhuma Tasangana (Manicaland) and Shingai Dance Troop (Harare).
In 2014, Ngoma Dzepasi from Mashonaland East won the finals of the dance festival.
Online Reporter