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Ezimnyama Arts Ensemble will represent Bulawayo at the national finals to be held in their province

Godwin Muzari Entertainment Editor
Tomorrow Tipers Bar in Shamva hosts the last provincial final of Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival ahead of the national competition set for Bulawayo on July 18.

Since April 25, the country’s provinces took turns to roll out the preliminaries, which were mainly held on unusual stages in remote parts of the country.

The preliminaries went to the grassroots, scouting for traditional dance competition finalists from energetic village dancers and experienced elders that are still in touch with the styles that define our culture.

The organisers went on a searching mission that also gave people at various ‘growth points’ and small town centres time to have fun and marvel at the dance talent showcased by various groups.

For some that attended the preliminaries, it was a time to reminisce on the dance moves that characterise our fading traditional ceremonies. The dances are pregnant with meanings that reflect on our identity and cultural heritage.

The traditional African drum was the common instrument that ignited stages erected in places like Gokwe, Chipinge, Chiredzi and Murewa as the dancers battled to outshine each other in presenting traditional expertise.

Dance styles like dinhe, chinyambera, jerusarema-mbende, muchongoyo, amabhiza, isitchikitsha, mbakumba, katekwe and nyau were displayed at the various stages as the dancers exhibited African pride while audiences got uncommon entertainment.

So, when dancers and spectators from Mashonaland Central gather at Tipers Bar in Shamva tomorrow, it will be a time for competition and celebration once again.

Nine provincial representatives at the national finals have been selected and the final contestant will be unveiled tomorrow — then battle lines will be drawn for the Bulawayo national finals.

Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional dance festival is sponsored by Delta Beverages and run by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe in collaboration with Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA).

All the parties concur that this year’s provincial finals have unearthed great talent in traditional dance and the national finals are likely to be a tough contest.

Delta Beverages marketing manager Patricia Murambinda said the provincial competitions were amazing.

“The provincial finals have progressed very well and have run smoothly across the country with about a 100 groups having taken part in the competitions to date,” she said.

“The level of talent for this year’s event is one we have not seen in a long time. It is the best that this programme has offered. The dancers have improved their choreography with time and even the detail put in getting their attire together is amazing.

“We as Delta Beverages, (ZNTDA) and National Arts Council of Zimbabwe can only promise the best at the national finals.”

Kennedy Kachuruka of ZNDTA said this year’s national competitions were likely to be tough.

“The provincial competitions were tightly contested. There was so much talent and some provinces wanted to exceed the limit of 10 groups that participate in each province because of overwhelming response,” he said.

“The level of competition was high and we saw some talented groups from areas like Binga and Hwange coming with their traditional dances that are not common. Some groups travelled long distances to attend the events and the zeal was encouraging.

“We thank Delta Beverages for sponsoring this competition. This year’s national final will definitely be different from all the preceding finals. There is great talent among traditional dance groups across the country and I know it will be the same story in Mashonaland Central.”

The winning group in Mashonaland Central will join nine other contestants that have booked tickets to the national finals.

Participating groups will include Jahunda Community Arts (Matabeleland South), Undi Gure (Midlands), Makarekare Dance Troop (Mashonaland East), Budiriro Arts (Mashonaland West), Gango Traditional Group (Masvingo), Shingai Dance Troop (Harare) Ezimnyama Arts Ensemble (Bulawayo) and Dhuma-tasangana (Manicaland)