Jikinya Dance Festival’s Outcome The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) held the 2014 National Jikinya Dance Festival in Harare on 28th November 2014 at Belvedere Teachers College. The annual festival that is held by the aims at encouraging children to appreciate and perform Zimbabwean traditional dances thus promoting and preserving Zimbabwe’s cultural intangible heritage. The Festival showcases an assortment of traditional dances by primary schools from throughout Zimbabwe. The Guest of Honour at this year’s edition was the UNESCO Director and Representative Professor Luc Rukingama and among the guests that graced the occasion was the National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) President Mrs Cynthia Khumalo, Delta Marketing Executive Mr. Stanley Muchenje, Culture Fund Director Mr. Farai Mupfunya and Director Policy Planning and Development in the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture Ms Netsai Masiyanise. The theme for 2014 Jikinya Dance Festival celebrations was “Celebrating Cultural Diversity and Social Cohesion through Dance.” Indeed the theme was fulfilled by the unity that was prompted by converging and celebrating our diverse cultures through various forms of dances on Saturday. Ten schools from various provinces participated at this year’s Jikinya Dance Festival having won in their respective provinces. The schools performed dances of their own choice as well as the common dance that was Jerusarema Mbende Dance. Jerusarema Mbende is a dance that was proclaimed a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The dance is performed by the community of Murewa and Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP) in the North Eastern Districts of Zimbabwe. Below is the list of schools that participated at the annual festival. Below is the list of all participating schools. PROVINCE SCHOOL DANCE Bulawayo Mbizo Primary School Amabhiza Harare ZRP Tomlinson Depot Chinyambera Manicaland St Peters Tokoyo Zhana Mashonaland Central Chipindura Primary School Dinhe Mashonaland East Dombodzvuku Primary School Mhande Mashonaland West Chiguvare Pri School Mbakumba Masvingo Mlelezi Primary School Dinhe Matabeleland North Lotendale Primary School Amabhiza Matabeleland South Dingumuzi Primary School Amabhiza Midlands Matenda Primary School Mbakumba All the schools came with various NAPH representatives as well as their teachers. The children showcased sterling performances that were a clear indication that schools are investing in promoting our Zimbabwean dances as well as working towards ensuring that our varied cultures are appreciated and preserved. The results were as follows, NAME OF SCHOOL POSITION NATURE OF PRIZE ZRP Tomlinson School 1 Trophy+ $1 500 Dombodzvuku School 2 Trophy+ $1 000 Mlelezi School 3 Trophy+ $750 Chipindura School 4 Trophy+ $500 Prof Hope Sadza’s Trophy for Outstanding Common Dance - ZRP Tomlinson Depot, Trophy + $300. PRIZE SCHOOL NATURE OF PRIZE Best Coach ZRP Tomlinson Depot $50 Best Costume ZRP Tomlinson Depot $100 Most Harmonious Group Dombodzvuku School $100 Best Drummer Dombodzvuku School $30 (Takudzwa Marufu) Best Boy Dancer Dingumuzi School $30 (Edition Ndlovu) Best Girl Dancer Dombodzuku School $30 (Miriam Chigusiwa) However, each school received a participation fee of $100. Jikinya brings people together, gives them a sense of belonging and make them realize that despite the differences in our values and norms, we are all Zimbabweans and should live in peace and harmony for nation building. NACZ inaugurated Jikinya Dance Festival in 2002 and the festival is mainly sponsored by Delta Corporation and Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust and the major partner is National Association of Primary School Heads (NAPH)
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 09:19:15 +0000