By Patience Nyagato
THE celebrated Jikinya dance festival marks its return this year with provincial competitions set for November 11.
The festival, which was not held in the past two years, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, will see schools from the country’s 10 provinces competing for the title while exhibiting their dancing prowess at the national competitions to be held in Gweru.
The festival is aimed at celebrating the country’s cultural diversity through dance.
“Jikinya is a festival for primary school children which will start on the 11th of November for provincials and on the 24th we will have the national finals. The finals will be held in Gweru.
“This year’s common dance is Amabhiza so all schools will be dancing that particular dance. The idea is to teach children to appreciate and participate in traditional dance as part of efforts to celebrate our cultural diversity as Zimbabweans,” said Rodney Ruwende, communication and marketing manager for the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
This year’s dance, Amabhiza, which originates from Matabeleland South Province is a popular traditional dance performed at rain-making ceremonies to appease the spirits of the rainmakers for a good harvest.
