Zvishavane hosts Midlands traditional dance finals

Zvishavane (New Ziana) – All roads in the Midlands province will on Saturday lead to Mandava Beerhall in Zvishavane for the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival provincial finals.

The traditional dance festival, which is sponsored by Delta Beverages through its Chibuku brand, is being held under the theme: “Bira ramadhanzi 60 years sithokoziswa ngezomgido.”

This year marks 60 years of celebrating traditional dances in Zimbabwe.

Various traditional dance groups in the province will battle it out for the sole ticket to represent Midlands at the national finals scheduled for August 5.

This year’s provincial finals started in Bindura on May 27. Other provincial finals have been held in Masvingo, Matebeleland North, and Mashonaland West. Epworth will hold the last provincial finals on July 15.

Winners at the national finals are set to pocket US$15 000. The first and second runners-up will receive US$10 000 and US$7 500 respectively. Last year the top prize went to Mutare-based Dapurahunanzwa Dance Group.

Delta Beverages has been working with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association, in promoting and ensuring that traditional dances, which are intangible cultural heritages, remain at the forefront.

Some of the dances featured in the Chibuku Neshamwari Festival include Mbende Jerusarema, Amabhiza, Isitchikitsha, Katekwe, Mbende, Likuba, Malawian Nyau, Zambian Nyau, Mbakumba, Mafuwe, Goteka, Ngororombe, Chibhiya, Muchongoyo, Chihoda and Chimtali.

New Ziana