Preparations for this year’s annual Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival have gathered momentum with provincial finals underway across the country.
BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
The national finals are pencilled in for August 31 at Harare Gardens. The festival will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee, while the Zimbabwe Traditional Dancers Association (ZNTDA), organisers of the event, celebrates 25 years.
ZNTDA marketing and finance executive Nyadzisai Kachuruka-Mirisau said they have gone a gear up with the preparations.
“We started our provincial finals on May 4 and we have since covered five provinces, namely Mashonaland East and West, Matabeleland North and South and Midlands,” she said.
“We are planning big celebrations for our silver jubilee as an association, while Chibuku Neshamwari turns 50 this year.”
She said the Harare Provincial finals, which will be held last have been scheduled for July 20 at a venue to be announced soon.
Batsiranai Traditional Dance Group from Mufakose scooped the coveted prize last year beating Idwala Elikhulu from Matabeleland North and Mashonaland West’s Ngoma Arts, taking the second and third prizes respectively.
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Kachuruka paid tribute to National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and Delta Beverages for their unwavering support over the years.
“The national arts council and Delta have both supported us over the years and we would like to thank them for a job well done in protecting our heritage through dance,” she said.
Delta Beverages’ flagship brand Chibuku, which has evolved over the years has stood as an emblem for the Chibuku Neshamwari traditional dance festival.
Its backing has been consistent ensuring resources are availed to traditional dancers participating each year.
