Antony Chawagarira
HARARE – Harare’s Shingai Dance Group were on Saturday crowned winners of the 2026 Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival national finals after delivering a captivating performance before an enthusiastic crowd at Harare Gardens.
The hosts emerged victorious to claim the top prize of US$15 000 at the country’s premier traditional dance competition, which brought together provincial champions from across Zimbabwe.
Bulawayo-based Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble finished second to receive US$10 000, while Manicaland’s Dapuraunanzva Arts Ensemble settled for third place and walked away with US$7 500.
Shingai Dance Group and Dapuraunanzva Arts Ensemble impressed adjudicators with performances of the Mbakumba dance, a traditional Karanga harvest dance that originated in Masvingo Province and is now widely performed during celebrations across the country.
Second-placed Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble showcased the Tsutsube dance, a distinctive Khoi-San cultural tradition associated with Botswana’s Tswana communities. The energetic performance, characterised by rhythmic hand-clapping, whistles and coordinated body movements without the use of drums, reflects the rich cultural heritage of southern Africa.
The annual Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival, sponsored by Delta Corporation through its Chibuku brand in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA), seeks to preserve, promote and celebrate Zimbabwe’s diverse traditional dances and cultural heritage.
The competition has over the years become one of the country’s flagship cultural events, providing a platform for communities to showcase indigenous dance traditions while encouraging younger generations to embrace and preserve their cultural identity.
Celebrations continued after the competition with a musical gala featuring some of the country’s leading artistes, including Jah Prayzah, Baba Harare, Nisha Ts, and Chillspot Records’ DJ Fantan and Levels.
