Province hosts National Culture Month commemorations

NATIONAL Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NAC) will launch the 2024 edition of the National Culture Month commemorations at Chisumbanje in Chipinge District at the end of this month.

The event which is meant to preserve and celebrate the country’s diverse cultural identity will be held in Chief Garahwa’s area under the theme: “Our Culture, Building Zimbabwe Brick by Brick”.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi will be the guest of honour at the event expected to draw hundreds of people, among them arts and cultural groups from Manicaland and beyond.

It is also expected to attract several traditional leaders as well as dignitaries from across the country.

NAC Manicaland provincial manager, Carol Makoni said preparations for the national event are progressing well.

She said the province is excited to host the prestigious cultural event.

“Preparations are underway and we are happy with the progress so far. It will be a huge and potentially-intriguing event which will attract a lot of stakeholders as well as visual and performing artistes. Manicaland will take the opportunity to showcase local traditional dances, crafts and traditional foods, among other cultural artefacts. The itinerary will be packed and we are expecting thousands of people to grace the event,” she said.

VP Mohadi

Culture Month commemorations are an extension of World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, which is celebrated on May 21 – which was set aside by UNESCO in the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in 2001.

This is a huge boost for art and cultural groups in Manicaland as they are set to showcase the province’s rich cultural brand.

One of the most successful arts groups in Manicaland – Manicaland Attached Instruments and Dance Exploration (M.A.I.D.E) is excited to have the national event on their home turf.

The group was recently awarded a US$33 000 grant for an arts research project. The project — CreativeACTIONs 2 (2023-25) — is the brainchild of Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, in collaboration with European Union.

M.A.I.D.E comprises Charlton Torindo, Joseph Sithole and Kudzai Gwaze.

More than 100 arts and cultural groups from across Manicaland Province as well as across the country are set to fully explore traditional dances and instruments that originated in Manicaland.

Every district in Manicaland has its own eccentric dances such as Zhana (Makoni), Jaka (Buhera), Muchongoyo, Mhongo, Chokoto (Chipinge), Mangoni (Mutasa), Njekunje (Nyanga) and Chidzimba/Chimaisiri (Mutare) and these are expected to be showcased at the launch.

“We are excited that the national launch will take place in Manicaland Province. This is a milestone and we are working hard to ensure that we fully utilise the historic opportunity. We are a province which is culturally rich with a lot of supremely talented visual and performing artistes. We are looking forward to dishing what Manicaland has to offer as well as to learn from other cultures from various provinces from across the country,” said a member of the group, Joseph Sithole.

Last year’s launch was held in Binga, in Matebeleland North Province.

President Mnangagwa officiated at the event which was held under the theme: “Promoting Cultural Diversity, Unity and Peace”.