BUILDING ZIMBABWE THROUGH DANCE
IN an effort to help popularise traditional music, Delta Beverages has engaged itself in the sponsorship of the annual Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival for primary school children.
The Jikinya is a dance festival where different schools compete against each other, showcasing various powerful and authentic traditional dances. The festival aims at encouraging children to appreciate and perform Zimbabwean traditional dances thus preserving the country’s rich cultural heritage, so that it may not disappear.
The Jikinya Festival is derived from the Chibuku/Neshamwari Festival. This is also a Delta sponsored dance festival. The Chibuku/Neshamwari Festival is specifically for the mature people, an example being the traditional dance group - Zvishavane Zvavakuru. That is the reason why it is marketed through the Chibuku brand. The festival has its origins dating back to the 1960s.
Jikinya was launched in 2002 and Delta Corporation is the main sponsor. The festival, it is hoped, in the long run will help in the creation of both employment and consumption of the arts and culture.
The dances done by the pupils should reflect some authentic traditional aspects of a particular ethnic, religious or cultural group in Zimbabwe. Examples of these dances that have been showcased include the mafuwe dance, which was performed by Gwangwava Primary School from Rushinga in Mashonaland Central. The udlame dance done by Sihlengeni Primary School from Mzingwane in Matabeleland South and the jaka dance done by Mupedza Primary School from Buhera in Manicaland.
Jikinya is held at District, Provincial and National levels in the schools. However, in the district festivals, schools are free to hold zone or other festivals in order for them to come up with district winners. Each district will be able to send one school to the provincial festival and each province will send one school to the national finals. The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and partners will fund the holding of provincial and national finals. All other festivals that take place prior to the provincial festivals are organised by National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) with help from organisations interested in the programme.
Since its inception, the festival has been broadcast live on ZTV. This is all in a drive to promote traditional dance forms through the education system by organising programmes and activities that involve appreciation, participation and consumption by school children. It is hoped that Jikinya will contribute to the rebirth of a national culture, identity and pride in Zimbabwean youths.
The Jikinya Dance Festival is open to all primary schools in Zimbabwe registered with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture. This year the festival will be held on 29 November in Harare at the 7Arts Theatre in Avondale.
|
