THE first Chibuku Neshamwari provincial traditional dance festival and competition this year will be hosted by Mashonaland West next month before the finals, expected in August, are held in the capital.
KENNETH NYANGANI
Various traditional dance groups will compete at the provincial event battling it out for the sole ticket to the national finals slated for the Harare Gardens.
The first event will be held on May 4 in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West, followed by Zvishavane, Midlands, on May 11. After that the festival will take a two-week break to pave way for culture week celebrations and the Africa Day holiday.
After the break, the festival and competition will resume on June 1 in Mutoko, Mashonaland East, after which a series of similar events will take place in other provinces, ending in Mbare, Harare, on July 20.
This year’s provincial finals will see the winners walking away with $500 and a ticket to represent the province at the national finals. First runners up will receive $300 prize money, while second runners up will go away with $200. Every dancing group will also get $100 in appearance fees.
Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association president Kennedy Kachuruka confirmed the dates to NewsDay yesterday and said he was expecting a tough competition this year.
“The Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional dance provincial final will roar into life next month and Mashonaland West is going to host the first event. Like every year, we are expecting tough competition in all the provinces and the winners will represent their provinces,” he said.
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“This year we are not holding the finals in September. According to our plans, they will be held on August 31.”
Kachuruka said his association was working together with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and Delta.
Dates of the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance finals are as follows:
Mashonaland West , May 4 Chinhoyi, Midlands May 11, Zvishavane, Mashonaland East , June 1 Mutoko. Matabeleland South, June 8, Gwanda. Matebeleland North June 15 Bulawayo June 22, Mana Hotel . Masvingo June 29 Chiredzi Manicaland July 6 Chipinge Mashonaland cental July 13. Harare July 20, Mbare.
