adminLeonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
Victoria Falls band, Umkhankaso Wamajaha from Victoria Falls will represent Matabeleland North Province at the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival national finals next month.
The all-male group won the provincial contest last Saturday after emphatically displaying its umtshongoyo dance, shrugging off competition from nine other groups drawn from Binga, Hwange, Victoria Falls and Tsholotsho. For their efforts Umkhankaso Wamajaha walked away $500 richer while Inkume and Vuka Mthwakazi (both displaying isitshikitsha and from Victoria Falls) got $300 and $200 as first and second runners up.
This is the third time Umkhankaso, well known for displaying shields and spears in a warlike style, will be representing the province at the traditional showcase following similar feats in 1991 and 2013.
Umkhankaso director, Chief Ndebele said they were already rehearsing ahead of the national finale being held in Bulawayo on July 18.
“We’re looking forward to the national finals and we hope to win this time around,” Chief Ndebele.
Seven provinces have already held their finals with only three remaining. Bulawayo and Manicaland will hold theirs on June 20 while Mashonaland Central would hold its finals on June 27.
Jahunda Community Arts which displays umtshongoyo type of dance will represent Matabeleland South, Undi Gure which plays Nyawu will fight for Midlands, Makarekare Dance Troop (mbende jerusarema for Mashonaland East) and Budiriro Arts (chinyambera for Mashonaland West).
Others participating groups are Gango Traditional Dance Group from Masvingo and Harare group Shingai Dance Troop.
Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association (ZNTDA) president Kennedy Kachuruka said he was happy with the shortlisted groups. Those who will come out tops at the national finals will get $4,000, $3,000 and $2,000.
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