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Sophia Chese-Msowa : Arts Correspondent

Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional dance competition will this weekend have its provincial finals for Matabeleland North in Binga where different traditional dance groups are expected to battle it out for a ticket to national competitions. The competition that will be held at Binga Courier Bar tomorrow will see groups presenting different types of traditional dance that include Sesatapa, Chinyanya, Chilimba among others.Some of the groups that will be participating include Binga Traditional Dance Group, Nshalila, Siansali, Mausemi, Njobola, Lubu among others.

Mwedzi Muchena from Victoria Falls will be the guest performer at the event.

The competition that is held as collaboration between Delta Beverages, Zimbabwe Traditional Dancers Association( ZTDA) and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has brought not only excitement and thrills, but respect for local culture and heritage.

It has managed to bring different dances together, giving people a glimpse of how elders used to entertain as well as convey several messages through dance.

In some social events different cultures can be identified through traditional dance.

ZTDA president Kennedy Kachuruka urged communities to participate in the competition.

“Our culture is our pride so by taking part in this competition we are simply backing our culture,” he said.

Kachuruka’s hailed Delta Beverages for their willingness to promote cultural activities in the country.

“UNESCO once noted: ‘Intangible cultural heritage can only be heritage when it is recognised as such by the communities, groups or individuals that create, maintain and transmit it without their recognition, nobody else can decide for them that a given expression or practice is their heritage’.

Our communities should therefore value their cultures and present them through dance,” said Kachuruka.

Mbende-Jerusarema traditional dance was proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in November 2005.

Last year Mashonaland East outfit, Makarekare Dance Troupe were crowned national traditional dance champions at the 52nd edition of the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival, at an event that was held at Bulawayo’s White City stadium.

Other groups that took part in last year’s finals included Ezimnyama (Bulawayo), Jahunda Community Arts (Matabeleland South), Undi Gure (Midlands), Gango Traditional Group (Masvingo), Dhuma Tasangana (Manicaland) and Shingai Dance Troop (Harare).