Staff Writer
A dance craze — Umzansi — won the hearts of many at the recently held Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival in Harare.
Performed by a Bulawayo group called Sekunjalo maAfrica Arts the judges unanimously crowned the outfit winners of Chibuku Traditional Dance Festival national finals before a sold out crowd.
For that sterling performance the group scooped US$15 000 at this year’s edition which marked the 60th anniversary of the festival.
Yarira Ngoma Arts from Glen View 1, which represented Harare province, came second and got US$10 000 while Makarekare Traditional Dance Group from Mashonaland East province picked US$7 500 for coming third.
An 18-member Sekunjalo maAfrica Arts dance group performed a Zulu warrior dance called Umzansi, a celebration dance usually performed by warriors after a victory in the battle field.
Yarira Ngoma Arts performed Chinyambera dance, which originates from Bikita, Masvingo province.
Chinyambera is orginally performed during hunting and the activities that go with it.
Makarekare dance group performed Mbende/Jerusarema also known as the fertility dance.
Sekunjalo maAfrica Arts dance group director Arnold Ndebele said they were happy to take int the festival which aims to preserving culture and heritage.
“We once took part in this competition back in 2014 and we came first at provincial level, but we never made it to the finals, meaning we were not ripe enough at that time,” Ndebele said.
“In 2016, we got back into the competition and we came second at national level. This year, we came back and we were adjudged number one at national level.”
Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival is sponsored by Delta Beverages through its Chibuku brand as part of its corporate social responsibility.
The dance showcase has kept alive traditional dances that define Zimbabwe and its people.
This year’s event is special as Chibuku marks 60 years of running the competition after hosting the first edition at Mai Musodzi Hall in Mbare, Harare.
The traditional dance fête has grown to be one of the country’s biggest platforms in supporting local talent as seen by guest performances by Jah Prayzah, Nutty O and Selmor Mtukudzi.
In celebrating its 60th anniversary, the dance showcase was held under the theme Bira Remadhanzi, 60 Years Sithokozisa Ngezomgido.
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