BY TENDAI SAUTA
THE road to the 2026 Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival National Finals gathered momentum on May 30 as Bolamba Culture Birds from Matabeleland South and Marondera Nyau from Mashonaland East emerged victorious in their respective provincial competitions, securing places at the national showdown scheduled for July 11.
The colourful contests, held at Collen Bawn Beerhall in Gwanda, and Camp and Caravan in Murehwa, delivered captivating displays of Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage, with performers thrilling audiences through energetic dances, traditional costumes and compelling storytelling.
In Matabeleland South, 10 groups competed for provincial honours in a fiercely contested showcase of indigenous dance traditions.
Bolamba Culture Birds from Gwanda South claimed first position with an outstanding performance of the tsutsube dance, while Blanket Mine Chioda from Gwanda district finished second after presenting the chioda dance.
Third place went to Blanket Mine Ben Arinot, also from Gwanda district.
Provincial arts administrators from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) commended the participating groups for maintaining high artistic standards and embracing the spirit of cultural competition, resulting in an event that left audiences inspired and asking for more.
Mashonaland East also witnessed a vibrant celebration of traditional arts as 10 groups competed for the province’s sole ticket to the national finals.
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Marondera Nyau, performing the gule (nyau) dance, emerged victorious ahead of Vimbiso Dance Group from Goromonzi district, which showcased the mbende dance.
Murehwa Prison secured third place with its mbende performance.
Organisers described the competition as a powerful demonstration of Zimbabwe’s cultural diversity and resilience, with performers using music, movement and symbolism to preserve traditions while engaging contemporary audiences.
The victories by Bolamba Culture Birds and Marondera Nyau bring the number of confirmed national finalists to five, while the remaining provincial champions will be determined in competitions running until July.
Running under the theme Yorira Ngoma Shamwari, Siyakhal’ Is’gubhu Mngane, the 2026 Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Zimbabwe’s premier cultural platforms.
The festival, organised in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association, celebrates heritage, identity and community cohesion through traditional performance arts.
Provincial winners receive US$2 500, while second- and third-placed groups earn US$1 500 and US$1 000, respectively.
At national level, the top three prizes are US$15 000, US$10 000 and US$7 500.
Beyond the dance arena, Chibuku remains closely associated with Zimbabwe’s cultural landscape through a portfolio of well-known beverages that includes Chibuku Super, the iconic traditional opaque beer; Scud, a clear lager-style beer; and several flavoured offerings available in selected markets.
Together with its distinctive Leopard branding, these products have helped to position Chibuku as a household beverage brand and a long-standing supporter of community-based cultural initiatives.
Through sponsorship of programmes such as the Chibuku Neshamwari Festival, the brand continues to contribute to the preservation, promotion and development of Zimbabwe’s diverse cultural heritage.
As provincial competitions continue across the country, anticipation is mounting for the national finals, where Zimbabwe’s finest traditional dance groups will converge to compete for top honours and celebrate culture’s enduring power to unite communities across generations.
