Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
The Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA) is set to host the Pfumbi-Nyau Gulewankulu Festival at Makuluwani Gardens in Harare from November 30 to December 1.
The two-day festival will feature over 20 dance groups, celebrating cultural diversity and seeking to address the public’s misconceptions about Gulewankulu and Nyau dances. In addition to the performances, the festival will be graced by guest performances from renowned artistes King Tazvida and Boys Dze Smoko.
ZNTDA president Kennedy Kachuruka said that the festival is aimed at preserving traditional dances and cultures to prevent them from being lost over time.
“The festival was born in 2009 after we realised that there was a gap in the arts community for a festival dedicated to the Nyau or Gulewankulu dance. It was launched at Sanganai Inn in Harare, near Dzivarasekwa, as a way to celebrate and preserve intangible cultural heritage,” Kachuruka explained.
With Gulewankulu dances being performed across Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces, the festival is an important platform for practitioners and their families to come together and celebrate their cultural traditions on a national scale. It also aims to demystify the misconceptions surrounding the dance and educate the public about its significance.
“We believe that Gulewankulu is more than just a dance; it is a way of life for the practitioners and their communities. This event is a chance to meet with the public and break down the misunderstandings that people have about our culture,” Kachuruka added.
The festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage.
– @mthabisi_mthire
Online Reporter