Marondera Gure Arts Group, Bolamba Culture Birds Advance to Chibuku Neshamwari National Finals

Zimbabwe’s rich cultural traditions took centre stage over the weekend as dance groups from Mashonaland East and Matabeleland South battled for provincial honours in the ongoing Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival, securing places at this year’s national finals.

The provincial competitions, held in Murewa and Gwanda respectively, showcased some of the country’s most treasured indigenous dance forms, reinforcing the festival’s role as one of Zimbabwe’s longest-running platforms for preserving and promoting traditional culture.

At the Mashonaland East provincial finals, staged at Camp and Caravan Park in Murewa on May 30, Marondera Gure Arts Group emerged victorious with an energetic performance of the Chewa Gule Wankulu dance.

The group earned the right to represent the province at the national finals and walked away with the provincial winners’ prize of US$2,500.

Vimbiso Dance Troupe claimed second place with a performance of the internationally recognised Mbende Jerusarema dance, while Murewa Prison Group finished third, also presenting the Mbende Jerusarema dance.

Meanwhile, in Matabeleland South, held at Collen Bawn Beer Hall on the same day, Bolamba Culture Birds took top honours after impressing judges with their rendition of the Tsutsube dance, a traditional performance closely associated with communities in Zimbabwe’s southwestern regions.

Chihoda Blanket Mine secured second place with the Chihoda dance, while Blanket Mine Beni finished third after showcasing the Beni Arinoti dance.

Like their counterparts in Mashonaland East, the Matabeleland South champions received US$2,500 and secured a place among the provincial winners who will compete for national honours later this year.

The latest competitions add to a growing list of provincial champions emerging from across Zimbabwe as the festival moves closer to its national showcase.

Organised annually with support from Chibuku, the festival has become a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s cultural calendar, providing a platform for communities to preserve traditional dance styles that have been passed down through generations.