Dancing for culture, heritage, pride

Genre : Society news
Principal country concerned : Column : Dance
Release/publication date : November 2015
Published on : 11/05/2015
Source : http://www.herald.co.zw/dancing-for-culture-heritage-pride-2/ 11 May 2015


In the past traditional dance was performed at different events to entertain and to send different messages to people around in society. In some social events different cultures would be identified through traditional dance.On Saturday at Chigarapasi Beer hall-Chiredzi there was excitement, competition and thrills as 13 groups from Masvingo province fought to book a place for the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance finals set for July.



A Masvingo Teachers College group, Gango Dance Group, displayed high dancing skills of mbende traditional dance and sailed through, winning $500 in addition to booking a place in the national finals.



The group that was last to perform had a disabled dancer Tambudzai Mabhiza who left everyone convinced that disability does not mean inability.



Chiredzi Prison Service group, Chisa, became the second winners pocketing $300 while another group Muchingosho became third and won $200.



Different groups from different parts of the province showcased their cultures through their dances.



Most of them including, Rufaro dance group and Mhungu stars performed the Bira traditional ceremony dance that is done when people communicate with the ancestors.



Tashinga Dance Group displayed a dance called Chikoto that shows the traditional way of how boys proposed love to girls.



A group from Mwenezi called Black Spirits brought Chitekuteku, a dance that is traditionally done to entertain people at any given function. To complement their dance they sang songs praising the popular Chibuku brew.



Merrymakers were surprised to see energy in a group of old women, Mbeulani from Chikombedzi, displaying how young girls would dance towards marriage. According to the group members the dance would give elders platform to assess the girl's energy and fertility.



Third-placed Chisa dance group got overwhelming support in their home-ground and were energetic on stage but their decision to bring a man in baboon mask was questioned as it had no with the theme of their dance.



Other groups that performed at the event were Muvhaki, Muchongoyo, Kamba that also displayed different cultures.



Away from the stage it was a guzzlers' affair as people were enjoying the popular Chibuku Super brew.



Draws were conducted and lucky people won different prices including money.

Partners

  • Arterial network
  • Media, Sports and Entertainment Group (MSE)
  • Gens de la Caraïbe
  • Groupe 30 Afrique
  • Alliance Française VANUATU
  • PACIFIC ARTS ALLIANCE
  • FURTHER ARTS
  • Zimbabwe : Culture Fund Of Zimbabwe Trust
  • RDC : Groupe TACCEMS
  • Rwanda : Positive Production
  • Togo : Kadam Kadam
  • Niger : ONG Culture Art Humanité
  • Collectif 2004 Images
  • Africultures Burkina-Faso
  • Bénincultures / Editions Plurielles
  • Africiné
  • Afrilivres

With the support of