Shangano fest roars into life

musical group that made it into the Chibuku Road to Fame finals.
The group came tops in the provincial competition.
Mr Petros Ndlovu, the chairman of Shangano Arts Festival, said the event was growing into a provincial showcase hence the need to be inclusively celebrating cultural diversity in the region, through rotational hosting in each district.
“This year’s festival launch will be at Kariangwe Mission School in Binga as part of our efforts to take culture to all the areas in province,’’ he said.
He said since the festival was growing in stature and reputation and was slowly gaining national recognition, there was need to explore ways of exposing the existing untapped talent lying idle in Binga.
“We expect all districts in the province to be represented because we picked one group from each due to limited resources,” said Ndlovu.
Groups expected to grace the occasion include Zambian superstar General Kanene, Iyasa, Amakhosi Dance Troupe, Makishi, Hlabangubo, Amasiko, Lusumbami Puppetry and Ndlovu Primary school and all local traditional groups among others.
The event will feature exhibitions of various traditional foods made from grain such as sorghum and millet as well as games.
Activities lined up include training workshops in              project proposal writing, drumming and heritage quiz shows targeting choreographers, group managers and directors.
Other activities on HIV and Aids, arts development and will also be running concurrent in Hwange.
Ndlovu revealed that since the organisation had adopted a broad approach towards cultural diversity next year’s edition was going to be held in Tsholotsho district.
The event is being supported by Basilizwi Trust, Hwange Colliery Company, Culture Fund and Environment Africa.
“The idea of Shangano is celebrating cultural diversity hence we want to move around all the district and create a platform for the sharing of ideas and talent such that we are able to take groups to Intwasa Arts Festival or Harare International Festival of the Arts,” said Ndlovu. This year’s edition, which will run under the theme “Keeping it alive — Long life to cultural diversity”, is expected to be officiated by Chief Siansali of Binga.
Shangano Arts Festival is a ceremony that showcases the province’s cultural diversity.
The province has different cultures that include Nambya, Tonga, Shona, Ndebele, Nyanja and Chewa.