Staff Writer
Yarira Ngoma Traditional Dance Group won a ticket to represent Harare at the 60th edition of the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance finals.
The group performed Chinyambera dances, which originate within the Karanga people of Masvingo, and were mainly used in appreciation of men after hunting and gathering.
For coming tops Yarira Ngoma won a cool US$2500 courtesy of Delta Beverages.
The festival reaches its climax on July 29 with 10 groups, each from the country’s 10 provinces, now expected to battle for honours at the ceremonial home in Harare Gardens.
Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association leader Kennedy Kachuruka said the festival competitiveness had grown over the years for the betterment of culture heritage.
For booking their place at the finals, the group walked away with US$2 500.
The festival, which is bankrolled by Delta Beverages, celebrates 60 years of existence, having grown from hosting its first final at Mbuya Musodzi hall in Mbare.
Some of the dances set to be showcased at the national finals include Muchongoyo, Chihoda Tonga, Umzansi, Beni Arinoti and Mbende, among others.
Winners at the national finals will get US$15 000, US$10 000 for second place, and US$7 500
for third place.
Chibuku Neshamwari Festival is celebrating its 60th anniversary running under the theme BIRA REMADHZI, 60 years Sithokozisa Ngezomgido!’.
The group that will win the national finals is set to pocket US$15 000, second placed US$10 000 and US$7 500 for the third-placed group.
For the competition, Chibuku works closely with its partners, the National Arts Council Zimbabwe (NACZ) and Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA) in promoting and developing the arts in the community.
Participants are required to register their groups with the NACZ and ZNTDA to be able to participate.
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