By Lovemore Chazingwa
Cultural diversity is a phenomenon that is celebrated the world over.
It’s a way through which one can claim their heritage and sustain a legacy.
The same can be said of the just ended Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival sponsored by local soft and hard drinks manufacturer, Delta Beverages.
The national finals were held at Harare Gardens at the weekend.
The competition draws participants from the grassroots level to the provincials and then at national level.
This year, mbakumba exponents Dapurahunanzva from Manicaland emerged victorious to claim the top prize.
They pitted nine other competitors, among them Guruve Marimba Arts Ensemble, off Mashonaland Central province, who snatched first runners up slot with their dinhe choreography.
From Harare’s Mufakose suburb, Dedza Chitandizo Nyau showcased a breath-taking gulewamkulu dance to settle for third position.
Other dances that were on display by the wide array of groups include amabhiza, majukwa, mbende jerusarema, nsumbule and setapa.
It’s the manner in which indigenous dances are propped up that adds a strong traditional flavour to the competition.
Otherwise, relegated to the periphery of other art expos, traditional dances are the highway in this journey.
The game plan is to make indigenous dances be part of the mainstay in local cultures basket.
In today’s world, competition for dominance in the wider cultural space is robust. There is intense intra as well as cross cultural diversity leading some cultures to prominence while others lose fabric.
In the worst case scenario, flaccid cultures are invaded resulting in them wading off into oblivion.
Prominent local culture and history analysts argue that some of Africa’s norms and values are lost in the global village maze.
Traditional aunt and uncle roles in guidance and counselling towards their nephews and nieces is under technological siege.
Itself a traditional brew of substance, Chibuku shares a close cordial relationship with cultural preservation and celebration.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Delta Beverages brew brand has stood the taste of time and stepped up to add impetus to local cultures preservation in the country.
As one may be accustomed to, celebratory events and/or solemn gatherings in traditional fashion put indigenous brews at the centre for rituals, proceedings and refreshment.
Be it at a mukwerera, jenaguru, kurova guva or kupira mudzimu ceremony, traditional brews are the drinks of choice. Chibuku, a sorghum based opaque brew, takes its place in such instances.
In its own diversity, the brand offers imbibers a choice.
Chibuku Super in original and banana flavours, and Chibuku Scud quench the drinkers’ thirst with a touch of tradition.
To its credit, Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival flags the preservation of ethos celebrated in a way that begs the whole nation to focus on keeping cultures intact through the lenses of a dance competition.
That competition brings to the fore diverse traditional dances and ancillary practices from across all corners of the country.
As one unidentified fan who was called to the stage responded on the reason for her presence at the gardens, she aptly summed it, “I’ve come here to witness the best of diverse cultural dances that exist in our country. This competition is rich in preserving our cultures.”
She said before being handed a banana flavoured Chibuku Super unit to enjoy.
The finals had the huge crowd on its feet throughout as people tried, some with exhilarating tapestry, to imitate the fleet feet on display by those ten groups.
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