BY TENDAI SAUTA THE just-ended highly informative and entertaining Nyamatsatse Festival proved to be a cultural exhibition that seeks to promote cultural purification and identity.
Festival founder Klara Ane Rosa, who also runs Mhondoro Dreams Production, said Nyamatsatse was the name given by Zimbabwe’s Shona-speaking communities to the star that shines brighter than all other stars at the break of dawn.
Cosmically, the star is otherwise called Sirius or Mercury.
Nyamatsatse Festival, held in the capital and dormitory town of Chitungwiza, showcased film, music, art and craft, theatre, literary reviews and workshops.
Said Rosa: “It is an important decree that people should identify themselves. Without proper identity, one cannot be visible.”
Traditional healer Ngonidzashe Murove, who made a presentation on the Mystery and Misery of Times, said it became very difficult to come up with an identity, especially when one did not open up on who they are.
Kelvin Chikonzo, a lecturer in the department of Creative Media at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), said Nyamatsatse Festival helped reveal several issues that men needed to know in order to strengthen their lives.
Another UZ lecturer, Ishmael Mugove Chikovero said it was pleasing that most people appreciated African cultural values.
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“The fact that white people are being transformed into Shona traditional priesthood signifies a lot of landmarks in the growth of an understanding of African spiritualism,” he said.
Shame Tetena, also known as Sekuru Dziva in traditional circles, said he was impressed by the level of commitment of people behind the growth of the festival.
The seven-day arts event started on August 14 and ended on Saturday with an all-night traditional celebration (Bira) at Kufunda Village in Chitungwiza.
The festival began with a presentation by Temba Nyathi on the hidden powers in the imaginations of African people.
The second day was an exploration of the journey of the soul on earth, while the third day was of star celebrations centred on the human heart and all journeys it travels.
On the fourth day, it was speeches and musical acts that saw Martin Stewart and Shephered Kamutikaoma collaborating on the song Better World at Ela the Garden.
“Our song Better World peaks against wars of any form and encourages people to unite and make the world the best place to live,” Stewart said.
Stewart and Kamutikaoma also performed songs Africa Calling, Lost Continent, Hippo Crene and Nhemamusasa.
Renowned mbira player Forward Kwenda performed their duet with Rosa, who was on the violin.
They performed songs Nehondo, Chigwaya and Nhemamusasa with amazing virtuosity.
Gweru hip-hop singer Farai Danda performed a memorable act.
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