Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
MUTARE-BASED traditional dance group, Dapurahunanzva Arts Ensemble, has begun preparations for a cultural tour of Tanzania after receiving an invitation to perform at the prestigious International Bagamoyo Arts Festival, one of East Africa’s biggest and most celebrated arts festivals.
The festival, scheduled for October 26 to 31, attracts artistes from across Tanzania, the African continent and beyond, providing a platform to showcase music, dance, theatre, acrobatics, visual arts and cultural exhibitions.
For the award-winning Zimbabwean ensemble, however, the trip represents more than another international performance. It is a journey they regard as a symbolic return to a place deeply rooted in the oral traditions of many communities in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa.
Within these traditions, Guruuswa — a region historically associated with present-day Tanzania — is remembered as the ancestral homeland from which many forebears began their migration southwards.
While regarded as a cherished traditional belief rather than historical fact, the story continues to symbolise shared African heritage and the deep cultural bonds that connect communities across the continent.
Ensemble director, Keavan Simomondo said performing in Tanzania will be a meaningful homecoming, allowing the group to reconnect with one of the remembered roots of their cultural identity, while sharing Zimbabwe’s rich artistic heritage with international audiences.
“As cultural ambassadors, we believe our drums speak a language understood across Africa. Our songs remind us that before borders were drawn, our ancestors exchanged knowledge, traditions and values. We are travelling to Tanzania in the spirit of reconnecting with our shared heritage, celebrating our common humanity and affirming that African culture should unite rather than divide us.
“Through every dance, song and story, we hope to inspire audiences to embrace the enduring African philosophy of hunhu/ubuntu, which teaches that our humanity is bound together.
“Our participation at the Bagamoyo Festival is therefore, not only a celebration of artistic excellence, but also a message of reconciliation, cultural pride and continental solidarity, demonstrating that the arts remain one of Africa’s greatest instruments for building peace and mutual respect,” said Simomondo.
He said the ensemble will, not simply be taking Zimbabwean music and dance to Tanzania, but will also carry stories, traditions, rhythms and cultural values preserved and passed down through generations before evolving into the vibrant artistic expressions seen in Zimbabwe today.
Established in 1982, the International Bagamoyo Arts Festival is Tanzania’s largest and most important cultural festival on the mainland.
It was founded a year after the establishment of the Bagamoyo College of Arts, now known as TaSUBa, initially as a platform for students to showcase their work to the local community.
Over the years, the festival has grown into a major national and international cultural event, attracting performers from across Africa as well as guest artistes from Europe and other parts of the world.
The week-long festival features performances, exhibitions, workshops, symposia and discussions covering music, dance, theatre, comedy, acrobatics, visual arts and traditional performances.
For the talented dance troupe, the invitation is another milestone in a growing list of international appearances that have raised Zimbabwe’s cultural profile beyond its borders.
Last year, the group represented Zimbabwe at the internationally acclaimed Surajkund International Crafts Mela in India, where they performed alongside cultural groups from dozens of countries.
Their energetic performances earned widespread praise and saw them finish third overall among participating international groups.
The festival attracted thousands of visitors from around the world and celebrated India’s rich cultural diversity through traditional crafts, music, cuisine and performing arts.
During the trip, the ensemble travelled alongside Zimbabwean artisans from Manicaland and Chimanimani, who showcased handcrafted products including woven mats, jewellery and traditional bags, giving international audiences a broader appreciation of Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage.
Simomondo described the Indian festival as an important platform that enabled the group to tell Zimbabwe’s story through music, dance and storytelling while strengthening cultural exchanges with artists from different parts of the world.
The ensemble has built a reputation for preserving Zimbabwe’s traditional dances while presenting them in contemporary performances that appeal to audiences of all ages.
Through its productions, the group seeks to educate younger generations about indigenous cultural practices while promoting the country’s rich artistic heritage internationally.
Its performances are characterised by energetic choreography, powerful drumming, colourful traditional attire and storytelling that reflects Zimbabwe’s customs, values and history.
As preparations for the Bagamoyo Arts Festival gather momentum, the group is confident that the Tanzanian audience will experience not only Zimbabwe’s artistic excellence but also a message of unity and shared identity.
At a time when parts of the continent continue to grapple with division and xenophobia, Dapurahunanzva Arts Ensemble believes culture remains one of the most effective tools for fostering dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
With its participation in the International Bagamoyo Arts Festival, the Mutare-based ensemble hopes to celebrate the enduring ties that bind African communities together, demonstrating that despite geographical borders, the continent’s shared cultural heritage continues to inspire unity, understanding and pride among its people.
