Rise and rise of Buja festival

THE second edition of the Buja Annual Arts Festival that was held in Mutoko recently enhanced cultural exchange between the people in Mutoko and others from different parts of the country.

Several activities that include cultural displays at Jembere, Murera Hills and Mutoko Centre got an encouraging attendance.

BAAF is a culture platform for the people of Buja popularly known as “wana samutoko” and it celebrates the uniqueness, vibrancy and richness of the Mutoko culture.

Festival director Emmanuel Manyati said the response was overwhelming and they were encouraged by the numbers.

A football tournament spiced up the event.

Popular musicians Andy Muridzo and Charles Charamba performed at the event.

Manyati said the festival was developing and they were planning to make it an international fete.

They had more than 300 people per each event with the biggest attendance being 500 at Mutoko Centre where Pastor Charles and Olivia Charamba performed.

Munyati said by having the two musicians they were cultivating pride in Mutoko.

“Charamba comes from this side and by having him performing at the event we wanted to encourage our children here that they can do it in life. I am happy that he has managed to meet a number of people including the youth that were also inspired by his messages on the day,” he said.

He said the festival was serving its purpose mainly to preserve the Buja cultures.

“Buja culture needs to be preserved and these festivals are doing justice. These young stars need to be schooled about the Buja culture,” he said.

He was optimistic that their bid to make it an international festival will be successful.

“We now want to export our culture to other nations and by this time next year we will be having a bigger and better international festival,” he said.

He thanked those who participated in the event together with various sponsors of the event.