admin
Mkhululi Ncube, Showbiz Reporter
THE country will soon be exposed to Tjwao dance moves from the San community in Tsholotsho district, Matabeleland North as dance groups from the area are hoping to participate at the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Competition.
This comes after two dance groups from the community thrilled crowds that gathered for the installation of Chief Goledema recently. Local organisation – Tsoro-o-tso San Development Trust – which advocates for the upliftment of the San community is now working with the groups that will participate at the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance competitions.
The trust’s field officer, Adrian Nleya, said they have started preparing the groups for the competitions.
He said the Trust’s aim is to educate members of the public about Tjwao people’s way of life.
“There are two groups that we’re working with as we want to showcase the San community history.
We heard about the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Competition and want to select the best groups to participate at the competitions,” Nleya said.
He said they have a choreographer who is assisting the groups to perfect their skills.
“Initially, we formed the dance groups to participate at the International Mother Tongue Day celebrations,” said Nleya.
He said the groups have both young and old people.
“Elders have to pass the knowledge to the young ones as well as teach them songs which are sung in Tjawo language,” said Nleya.
He said the participation of the San group at the Chibuku competitions will expose people to the San community’s way of life which has largely remained unknown to many Zimbabweans.
David Ndlovu, who is the director of the Trust, said the San dance has some unique features that need to be preserved.
“Most dances use the drum but San people use isancele and a hoe in place of the drum.
“It’s unique to Zimbabwe because I’ve visited other San communities outside the country and they do not know about this dance,” Ndlovu said. -@themkhust
Online Reporter