The Sunday Mail
Chibuku Neshamwari winners
HISTORICALLY, dancing has always been an important aspect of Zimbabwean culture but lately global trends have significantly contributed to the deterioration of traditional practices.
With the urban culture craze sweeping across the country, traditional dance has come under threat as most young people are now regarding it as backward.
There are, however, institutions and organisations that have realised the importance of cultural preservation, coming up with various initiatives to protect local tradition.
The Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association has over the years collaborated with Delta Beverages and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to try and safeguard traditional dance with their Chibuku Neshamwari initiative.
The Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival is held annually and seeks to discover the best traditional dance group in the country while at the same time promoting culture and Delta’s traditional brew, Chubuku.
This year’s edition of the competition kicked off last week with the Mashonaland East provincial finals which were held last weekend at Murehwa Council Bar in Murehwa.
The event was graced by several dignitaries who included ZNTDA president Kennedy Kachurucha, NACZ assistant acting director for arts development Caroline Makoni, Delta officials and several traditional leaders.
Traditional dance groups from the province showcased various dance styles which included “Mbende Jerusarema”, “Kunembira”, “Chidzimba” and “Beni” which thrilled the crowd that had gathered to enjoy the displays.
From the traditional dress on display to the instruments producing the rhythms that moved the dancers, there was clear evidence of the country’s rich cultural diversity.
Bhora-based Jerusarema outfit Makarekare Dance Troop were the victors and walked away with US$500 and the opportunity to battle it out with winners from nine other provinces at the national finals to be held on July 13 in Bulawayo.
Gifted dance groups, Zevezeve, which came second and Tayedza, which claimed third spot, walked away with US$300 and US$200 respectively.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Leisure on the sidelines of the event, ZNTDA president Kennedy Kachuruka pointed out the importance of promoting traditional dance from grassroots.
“I think traditional dance and its cultural significance should be taught at grassroots so that these practices are passed on to the younger generation.
We should not standby while our culture is swept away by foreign ideals, which have become dominant among our youths,” said Kachurucha.
He said that traditional dance should be added in the school curriculum as a subject so that children will get to understand and appreciate local heritage.
Kachurucha added that although the traditional dance industry in the country was thriving, there were several hindrances that were slowing down its development.
“We have the human resource, the dancers as well as programmes but our major challenge is funding, which could enable us to host festivals, capacity building workshops and other initiatives that could aid in our cause.”
He went on to thank delta for supporting cultural activities and highlighted their contribution to the arts sector.
“Delta has been sponsoring the Neshamwari Dance Competition since 1963 and even though the funding was reduced at some point, they have continued to support us because they value the preservation of local culture.”
Kachurucha said that their association had managed to register 325 traditional dance groups from all corners of the country and is still scouting for more.
“There are around 80 traditional dances in Zimbabwe, of which dances that were adopted from migrants who came from neighbouring countries constitute about a third of that figure, which shows that we have a vibrant and diverse culture which does not discriminate other traditions.”
Meanwhile, NACZ members in Mashonaland East are channelling their efforts to try and unite Josphat Somanje and his nephew (late brother’s son) Faheem, who is now the Pengaudzoke front man.
They managed to convince Delta to host an after party for the traditional dance competition where Josphat and Faheem shared the stage. An NACZ Mashonaland East representative told this publication that it was their hope that the two artistes unite and probably bring Pengaudzoke to its former glory.
The duo put on a solid show and thrilled fans way into the early hours of the morning, belting out famous hits like “Tsaona” and “Mai Linda” among others.
Josphat refused to comment on the union saying he did not want to confuse their fans.
