adminEdwin Nhukarume
TUMBUKA Dance Company is making a comeback to the local showbiz industry.
Apostle Tendai Fulukia, the founder of the Simba Arts organisation, said they revived Tumbuka Dance because they felt it deserved a place in the local entertainment sector.
The dance company had disbanded due to financial challenges and some internal problems.
In an interview, Fulukia said Tumbuka Dance was returning as a stronger outfit with new goals.
“Our goal is to revive the Tumbuka Dance and promote contemporary dance in the country, strengthen the dance arts and uplift the dance industry, since it’s a powerful way of human expression.
“We will be embarking on different ways to use dance, as a way to communicate, with the people.
“There are important issues we need to address to the masses through dance and entertainment.
“We want to show people that dancing is not only about skilfully moving body parts, but it’s a way of communicating,” said Fulukia.
He said they would be taking part in creating awareness on depression, HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, tragedy, loss and anxiety.
“We have a musical dance theatre piece called Ndaremerwa.
“It addresses the stigma of mental health in our community.
“It will be a form of healing from the pain being inflicted by obstacles we face in our daily lives, which include disease and depression,” he told H-Metro.
“Ndaremerwa also delves into how HIV/AIDS, sexuality, love, religion and other issues affect the wellbeing of people.
“The dance company, through various dance projects, will be offering moral support and activities that will help people to overcome these problems.”
Tumbuka Dance company aspires to be an internationally-renowned dance organisation.
It has merged with Simba Arts, which runs professional dance companies, in Norway and Zimbabwe.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter