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UNHERALDED Jeketera Renyaningwe traditional dance group have booked their ticket to the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance national finals on August 5.
The group, which showcased the Bira dance, came out tops at the Masvingo provincial finals at Chihambakwe Beerhall, Triangle, on Saturday.
The Bira dance is performed by Shona people in which members call on ancestral spirits (vadzimu) for guidance and intercession between man and the creator.
“We are happy with the quality of the entries we have seen so far and this has raised the level of competition among participants.
“We hope to continue with this trend around the country and eventually crown the best cultural dance group for the year,” said Delta Corporation marketing director, Irimayi Muzorewa.
Chiredzi School of Arts (CHISA) and Darerimwe dance came out second and third.
At least nine groups, who showcased dances from Bira, Mbakumba, Dinhe and Mhande, took part in the competition.
The annual showcase got underway in Bindura on May 27 and will culminate in the national finals on August 5.
This year’s finals are running under the theme: “Bira Remadhanzi, 60 Years Sithokozisa Ngezomgido!”, as the festival celebrates a milestone in promoting local artists and cultural heritage.
The festival is hosted in partnership with the National Arts Council Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA).
The national winners will walk away with a US$15 000 grand prize while the runners-up will take home US$10 000 and US$7 500.
Harare is set to host its provincial finals on July 15 at Epworth’s Makomo Bar.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter