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Melissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
THIS year’s Harare International Carnival will be a show not to miss if word from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) that the Brazilian Samba queens will grace the event which runs from May 16 to 25 is anything to go by.
The Rio Carnival, held in Brazil last week, is well known as the mother of all carnivals as their well-organised week-long festivities are intense with the Samba queens always being one of the main highlights because of their costumes. The showstoppers – who are popular for their sexually suggestive dance – are usually clad in nothing more than feathers and paint only covering their essential body parts.
A carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party. People often dress up in funky outfits, take to the streets and party like no one is watching. The celebrations mark an overturning of daily life.
Now in its second year, the nine-day Harare International Carnival jamboree, which will once again run under the theme: Celebrating our diversity, will be a melting pot of diverse cultures and activities.
Sugar Chagonda, ZTA spokesperson said the event would see groups converging on Harare from different parts of the country to showcase their different cultures. Last year, Bulawayo sent in impressive groups including Magesh dance group who delivered world class acts. A total of 21 countries including Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago, Italy, Egypt, China, Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, DRC, Kenya, Angola, Namibia, Jamaica, Sweden and Ethiopia among other countries have also confirmed their participation at the event.
Chagonda said they had renamed the Zimbabwe International Carnival to Harare International Carnival as a way of following international standards.
He added that the carnival was an event being held to celebrate people’s diversity.
“We are hosting this event as a unifying force to celebrate our oneness. We will be celebrating our diversity, be it political, religious or social. In other words what we are celebrating is the tolerance to live and work together regardless of our individual backgrounds,” Chagonda said.
ZTA is working hand in hand with music promoters and will unveil the names of the local and international artistes performing at the carnival once they sign contracts with them. American king of RnB, R Kelly is one of the international artistes being lured to perform at the fete. Like last year, the carnival will open with the crowning of Carnival Queen Zimbabwe whose duties will include leading the carnival street procession. Outgoing Carnival Queen Dananai Chipunza will crown her successor.
Organisers have this year introduced a Zimbabwe Dancehall Night as part of the carnival festivities.
“Zimbabwe dancehall music is on the rise and common amongst the youths who we greatly want to be part of the carnival hence our decision to incorporate their stars on our programme. The event will be ideal for dancehall lovers and will be an opportunity for them to see their stars live on one stage,” Chagonda said.
The Mbira Night is on again this year for traditionalists, Carnival Jazz Night for the mature, and the Carnival Street Party and musical concert will be the climax of the carnival. Last year, the city of Harare came to a standstill as local and international groups took turns to showcase their various artistic skills during the street party. National Parks were not to be outdone as they took snakes from the park to the streets as their exhibition.
Meanwhile, plans are underway to introduce a Bulawayo Carnival.
“When we talk about the arts, there is no way one can ignore Bulawayo which is the home of arts and culture. We will soon introduce a Bulawayo Carnival which will aim to showcase different cultures.
“We are still engaging with various stakeholders in Bulawayo to see how we can go about the Bulawayo Carnival and decide on its placement on the calendar of events as it would mean re-arranging dates for some national events to make way for the Bulawayo Carnival,” Chagonda said.
He said people needed to support the carnival as it was a national event and people-driven as people make up the event.
Online Reporter