Namibia gets a taste of jerusarema

group upstaged four other dance troupes from Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia, who also performed at the colourful launch ceremony. 
Clad in traditional animal skin attire, the group performed the mbende dance, also popularly known as jerusarema, arguably the oldest dance in Zimbabwe.
The dance is characterised by sensual and acrobatic movements by women in unison with men, driven by a single polyrhythmic drummer and woodblock clappers.
Ministers of environment, tourism, wildlife and natural resources, ambassadors and other distinguished guests were mesmerised by the electrifying dance accompanied by a marimba beat and rhythm instruments.
Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Francis Nhema — who led the Zimbabwean delegation comprising Zimbabawe Tourism Authority officials, chiefs, traditional leaders and senior Government officials — said the group made the nation proud.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Namibia, Ms Chipo Zindoga, who also graced the occasion, also said the arts should be used more to market the country as a world-class tourism destination.
Mbende dance is an important cultural element in Zimbabwe, especially because of its unique expressions and old history.
It was actually accorded World Heritage status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and has helped the nation to be recognised as a culturally well developed country by the world, and given Zimbabweans the dignity of their culture and realise how valuable their art is.