adminBrenda Phiri Harare Bureau
HARARE’s ZRP Tomlinson School emerged champions at the Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival ahead of nine other schools drawn from the country’s provinces.
The festival, which brings people together to give them a sense of belonging, was held over the weekend at Belvedere Teachers College in Harare to celebrate cultural diversity and social cohesion through dance.
After having showcased an assortment of traditional dances well, ZRP Tomlinson School were awarded with a prize money of $1,500 and a trophy. Dombodzvuku School from Mashonaland East, who took second position, were also awarded with a trophy and $1,000 followed by Mlelezi School (Masvingo) in third place. They walked away with a trophy and $750 while Chipindura School (Mashonaland Central) which took fourth position, received a trophy and $500.
Bulawayo was represented at the festival by Mbizo Primary School which performed the amabhiza dance.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) communications manager, Catherine Mthombeni said the performances by children were a clear indication that schools were investing in promoting Zimbabwean dances.
“The children showcased sterling performances that were a clear indication that schools are investing in promoting our Zimbabwean dances as well as working towards ensuring that our varied cultures are appreciated and preserved,” Mthombeni said.
Unesco director — Professor Luc Rukingama, who was the guest of honour at the festival, said he was pleased with the showcase, applauding the participants for making “Jerusarema” and “Mbende” traditional dances part of their act.
“We proclaimed Mbende Jerusarema Dance a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of Humanity with Murewa Culture Centre acting as the reference place for safeguarding purposes. Mbende being performed here as a common piece is a safeguarding measure of the dance for posterity,” Rukingama said.
He, however, expressed hope that the festival would be extended to other sectors in order for the local culture to be preserved.
“My dream is to see this festival grow and more of these dances being practised in secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions,” he said.
Jikinya Dance Festival is an annual festival that is hosted by the The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ). It aims to encourage children to appreciate and perform Zimbabwean traditional dances thus promoting and preserving Zimbabwe’s cultural intangible heritage.
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