BY SINDISO DUBE Participants of this year’s Chibuku NeShamwari traditional dance festival are prepared and eager to take part in the provincial contests of the dance jamboree.
Delta Beverages announced the return of Chibuku NeShamwari dance festival and the provincial finals will be held on May 28.
The winners of the respective provinces will battle it out at the national finals at a date and venue to be made public later.
In a statement, Delta corporation general manager Patricia Murambinda said.
The festival has, over the years, afforded dance groups global recognition and performances at various corporate and cultural events.
“This festival has become important in promoting and ensuring that traditional dances, which are some of our crucial intangible cultural heritages, are celebrated,” he said.
“Dance and music play an important part in the way people interact, celebrate and narrate their past.
“To this end, Chibuku NeShamwari Traditional Dance Festival has kept alive traditional dances that define the country and its people.”
Murambinda added: “Chibuku NeShamwari Dance Festival will hold dance competitions, where participants from across the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe will come through and compete.”
“The top three winning groups will receive prize money.
“This will then culminate in a national final, where winners from the 10 provinces will battle it out to be crowned overall winners.”
Bulawayo’s Ezimnyama were the last winners in 2019 before Covid-19 halted the dance competition, pocketing US$15 000.
Ezimnyama which hails from the high density suburb of Matshobana and founded by Phibion ‘Fobie’ Ncube celebrates its 13th anniversary this year.
The top three winning groups from each province will receive prize money before they take on each other at the national finals.