THE Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival Harare provincial finals were finally held at Chitubu Junction in Glen Norah A on Saturday afternoon.
Report by Entertainment Reporter
Lilongwe Nyau scooped the first prize with Chitukuto and Kondwane Gule coming in second and third respectively, beating seven other contestants.
The winners walked away with $500 while the second and third groups took home $300 and $200 respectively. All winners were Nyau groups, a development that did not go down well with some local art critics who bemoaned the lack of preservation of local culture through dance.
Mhembero and Madhonza Makuru were the only two Shona groups in the competition and one of the judges, Albert Nyathi, said the scenario pointed to an erosion of local heritage.
“It may be proof that we are now truly part of the Sadc, but it could also show that we have lost track on the preservation of our culture as a people,” Nyathi said.
