Traditional dance groups shine at Chibuku Neshamwari provincial finals

TRADITIONAL dance groups from Masvingo and Mashonaland Central provinces delivered standout performances over the weekend as the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival provincial finals continued in Gutu and Mt Darwin on Saturday.

In Masvingo, the provincial finals were held at Tafara Madondo Hotel in Gutu on 16 May, with MUSA emerging as overall winners after impressing judges with a Bira revadzimu performance.

Africa Musical Arts Village took second place with the Mbakumba dance, while Dzimbadzamabwe Traditional Dance Group finished third with the Jukwa dance.

In Mashonaland Central, the provincial competition was held in Mt Darwin, where Dzimbahwe Nengoma claimed first prize with a Chinyambera performance.

Guruve Chinyakare finished second with the Dinhe dance, while Bindura HideOut Zambia Nyau took third place with the Zambia Nyau dance.

The competitions attracted large crowds as communities gathered to celebrate Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage through music, rhythm and traditional dance.

Winning groups from the provincial contests will advance to the national finals scheduled for 11 July.

The annual festival, sponsored by Delta Beverages in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association, remains one of the country’s biggest platforms for preserving and promoting traditional culture.