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Mufakose's Shingai Dance Group shines at Chibuku Traditional Dance Festivals
Community Radio Harare
September 15, 2009

Mufakose-based Shingai Dance Group shined as it came second at the captivating Chibuku Traditional Dance Festival national finals held in the Harare Gardens over the weekend.

The youthful group's leader, Musa Lejala said they were excited by the win as this was going to inspire other youths especially in high density areas that they could earn a decent living through traditional dance. "Our victory will certainly inspire other youths in Harare's high density suburbs to form traditional dance groups that can also take part in some of these competitions and get money to fend for their families. This cultural dance also helps the youth to preserve our cultural virtues that are an important heritage and identity of our country. We decided to be traditional dancers because we realize that there is no one else who can help us conserve our culture and if we don't do it, our cultural heritage will go down the history drain."

Lejala also commended the festival's sponsor, Delta Beverages, for bankrolling the competition saying this was helping a long way in publicizing traditional dance which seem to have been neglected by most artists who are now preferring modern music and dance.

Zimbabwe Traditional Dance Association (ZTDA) president, Kennedy Kachuruka, praised Delta Beverages and urged the business community to also promote the arts industry as it is a crucial element of our society.

This year's event saw ten groups representing all the country's ten provinces battling it out and Rarira Dendera Jerusarema of Mashonaland East came first and walked away with US$3000, followed by Shingai who had US$2000 while Amahlosi Ensemble based in Victoria Falls clinched the third prize of US$1000. The other participants were; Chihwerure Dance Group, Pasichigare Kandodo, Hwange Traditional Dance Group, Thandanani, How Mine Nyau, Nguvayakaoma and Villa 1 Nyau.

The Chibuku Traditional Dance Festival is an annual event that starts at provincial levels where groups battle it out and the group that wins at this level will then represent that province at the finals that are traditionally held in Harare.

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