admin“We have also realised that the majority of traditional dancers do not believe that dance is a business.” TRADITIONAL dance plays a significant role in cultural preservation, which is why development of the art is important. While there are many traditional dance groups from across the country, there has been minimal progress in transforming the craft into a profitable industry.
Lack of proper managerial knowledge and other professional attributes have been cited as drawbacks on the traditional dance circuit. Therefore the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association (ZNTDA) has been stepping up its development drive and will be conducting training and capacity building workshops in all the country’s ten provinces in order to equip artistes with various skills.
The workshops started on October 9 in Harare and will be running until the beginning of December. Some of the skills that are meant to be imparted on the beneficiaries include group administration, communication, leadership, choreography, dance theory and practice. Experts in the areas will be drawn from the creative industry.
ZNTDA president Kennedy Kachuruka said they had seen the need to educate people involved in traditional dance on various aspects of the trade.
“The country is in need of choreographers, dance trainers, adjudicators and formation of new groups to safeguard our cultural heritage nationwide.
“These training workshops are for the general individual dance artistes, from ZNTDA registered groups, independent cultural dance practitioners, dance instructors, to those involved in communities, schools and all other interested parties.
“This is a national initiative covering all provinces. This is a big step ahead for traditional dance practitioners,” said Kachuruka.
He said the idea was first brought up in 2014 but failed to take off due to lack of funding.
“We intend to make this an annual event to benefit those who would not have taken part in the preceding year.
“Currently, the association is receiving support in kind from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the ministry responsible for arts and culture.”
This will be the first time in 25 years for ZNTDA to facilitate such workshops. Kachuruka also outlined some of the challenges faced by traditional dancers.
“There is lack of financial support, we cannot uplift the groups through paid shows. They are also not involved in festivals that could bring business opportunities.
“We have also realised that the majority of traditional dancers do not believe that dance is a business.”
He said traditional dance can be very profitable if taken seriously.
A total of 287 dance groups are currently registered with ZNTDA with most of the groups averaging between 15 and 35 members in the various traditional dance genres that emanate from various parts of the country. In addition, 300 more groups have been approached to register with ZNTDA.
There are two traditional dance festivals lined up — the Midlands Cultural Festival set for October 29 in Zvishavane and the Pfumbi Nyau Dance Festival to be held in December in Harare where 30 groups of Gulewamkulu from all provinces are set to take part.
Every year, ZNTDA collaborates with National Arts Council and Delta Beverages through their Chibuku brand for the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival, which is one of the biggest traditional dance platforms in the country.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter