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hundreds of people thronged Domboshava Rocks on Monday evening for a pre-Harare International Festival of the Arts party.
The festival kicked off in Harare yesterday and will run until Sunday. MaAfrika, whose group conducted the “traditional opening rituals” at the occasion, played their traditional mbira music with panache and captivating ego, said it was encouraging to note that organisers of Hifa had taken time to observe the country’s traditional rituals by holding a bira on the eve of Harare’s biggest arts fete.
“Most of the people who gathered here are from different countries and it is quite encouraging to see them taking part in this bira to mark the beginning of the arts and cultural festival.
“It is our tradition to pay homage to the custodians of our land (Zimbabwe) by visiting national shrines like Domboshava Rocks and playing mbira.
“By doing so, they are seeking guidance for their event to proceed without hitches,” he said.
Nyamasvisva — as he is known in music circles after his totem — urged locals to emulate this gesture.
“We should emulate this gesture and remember that we have certain traditions that we should observe,” he said.
One observer also agreed with Nyamasvisva saying the fact that organisers had chosen Domboshava for their occasion proved that they respected the spirits of this nation.
“Even the spirits are happy and I don’t see why they can’t guide them throughout the entire festival,” she noted. Apart from mbira, the occasion was also characterised by a visit up the mountain which people climbed using a path lit with candles on both sides. There were also traditional dances and “fire-eaters” among others. Exotic as well as traditional foods and drinks were also on offer.
Online Reporter