adminLloyd Mwale in CHEGUTU
MURIEL Mine Ben Arinoti will represent Mashonaland West at the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance “Bira Remadhanzi” national Championships on August 5.
They won the provincial championships at Gatsi Bar in Chegutu over the weekend.
The 13-member youthful ensemble shrugged off stiff competition from eight other traditional dance groups to win the bragging rights to represent the province.
Kadoma-based Chabvondoka Nyau, with their Zambian nyau dance-style, came second while Mhondoro’s Dzemucheka Mbira Group were third.
Washington Washen, Muriel’s leader, said the right to represent the province came after some hard work.
“I am happy that we’ve made it to the national championships,
“I would like to salute all the club members for working hard for this day and I just encourage them to continue working hard so that the national championships come to Mash West,” said Washen.
Zimbabwe National Arts Council director, Nicholas Moyo, hailed the competitiveness of the contest and the unique dances available in Mashonaland West.
“My observations on Mash West championships are that the province has its unique dances and that is what speaks to the provincial editions of a national programme and my call to Mash West is to work together.
“Generally we saw various dances and productions,” said Moyo.
Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association (ZNTDA) president, Kennedy Kachuruka, said the event was an overwhelming success.
“This year’s MashWest Provincial Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional championship was a huge success, we saw Malawian and Zambian nyau style dances, mbira and in mining areas there is Ben Arinoti, with an all women Chimutali dances.
“This shows a variety of cultural heritage within the nation and I would like to thank the Zimbabwe National Arts Council and Delta Beverages, through their Chibuku brand, for the partnership which has seen Neshamwari Traditional Dance celebrating 60 years this year,” said Kachuruka.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge