Date set for Kumbekumbe Festival

ALL roads lead to Chitungwiza Zengeza 2 shopping centre on April 27 for the Kumbekumbe Festival. Kumbekumbe is a KiSwahili word derived from the flying termites, known as ishwa in Shona. The flying termites are popularly known for their teamwork, creativity and innovation in building the termite mounds.

Kumbekumbe Arts Trust director Amanda Chenai Makombe said: “Our space is not just a space, it is more like a hub for those who are passionate about art and creativity. We use art to advocate for sustainable development while imparting valuable life skills to the youth in and around Chitungwiza.”

“We advocate on issues that communities need improvement on. We do murals, paintings, music and more. Art for health, art for environment, art for communities and art for youth.”

Kumbekumbe Trust which is housed in Chitungwiza’s Zengeza 3 suburb has highly visible paintings which lift many subjects and tell stories for social and economic transformation and host storytelling boot camps.

“This is the magic of storytelling brought to life in vibrant colours. After an inspiring boot camp, we translated our shared narratives onto the wall and this visual tapestry is our voice.

“The storytelling boot camp is meant for young people to unleash the creativity in them. It is a platform for young women to air their aspirations and issues of concern without being stigmatised.”

Speaking on the forthcoming Kumbekumbe Festival, creative content creator Simbarashe Daniel Chikwanha said the festival was meant to bring together the youth for a powerful conversation and enjoyment of arts showcases such as drama, music and dance.

“The festival shall feature many talented artists and it will be an open space, free space to talk about issues of concern to them.

“As indicated in one of our murals Mhururu, a symbol of happiness which is common when women bring new babies’ home, weddings and graduation parties. When such activities happen, it means that people are happy and are enjoying lots of freedoms.

“The Mhururu project is about emancipating people’s mindsets.

“Emancipating the voices of young women so that they are listened to.

“Through this project we have managed to do some artivism and painted murals in Zengeza, Nyatsime and in Victoria Falls.”

Makombe urged schoolchildren and the youth to grace the occasion which will be catering for the whole family.