By Jonathan Mbiriymveka
The drums are calling, the rhythm is rising, and Zimbabwe’s heartbeat is about to shake the ground.
The multi-award-winning Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival is back for its 2026 edition — and it’s promising to be bigger, bolder, and more electric than ever.
Under the vibrant theme “Ngoma Ngairire Shamwari, Tshay’sgubhu Mngane” (Let the drum roar, friend, and strike the gubhu, comrade), Delta Corporation’s Marketing Director, Irimayi Muzorewa, fired up the nation with a rallying cry that’s already echoing through towns and villages:
“Yorira ngoma shamwari, siyakhal’ is’gubhu mngane!” (Let the drum sound, friend — we’re calling the beat, comrade!)
From 9 May to 11 July 2026, the festival will sweep across all ten provinces, turning every corner of Zimbabwe into a stage for tradition, talent, and togetherness.
Provincial finals will feed into the ultimate showdown — the National Final — where the country’s best traditional dance groups will battle for glory, pride, and life-changing cash.
And the stakes? Massive.
Provincial Finals:
- 1st Prize: USD 2,500
- 2nd Prize: USD 1,500
- 3rd Prize: USD 1,000
National Finals:
- 1st Prize: USD 15,000
- 2nd Prize: USD 10,000
- 3rd Prize: USD 7,500
But it’s not just about the money. Partnering with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association (ZNTDA), the festival is a love letter to heritage — a celebration of the moves, stories, and rhythms that make Zimbabwean culture unstoppable.
Aspiring groups must register with NACZ and ZNTDA. And for the rest of us? Come ready to cheer, dance, and feel the energy.
As Muzorewa put it in true Chibuku spirit:
“Huruyadzo PaHushamwari, Inkunzi Ehlanganisa Abangane.” (Pride in friendship — the bull that brings friends together.)
So warm up those dancing feet, rally your crew, and answer the drum. Chibuku is calling.
Yorira ngoma shamwari — siyakhal’ is’gubhu mngane!
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