Cultural groups showcase talent
TENDAI MUSWERA IN CHIPINGE
At least 13 cultural groups participated in the Ndau Festival of Arts (NdauFA) held last weekend at Bangira Village, in Chipinge , Manicaland Province.
Established in 2013, the annual festival is meant to preserve and promote the Ndau culture.
The deputy director in the Ministry of Youths, Arts and Recreation, Charity Manuhwa, who was the guest of honour said the annual event was important.
He said it was a national development strategy to ensure that culture does not die with elders.
It critical as it seeks to promote the Ndau knowledge as an integral part of life in all aspects such as in food, dressing, cultural norms and values as well as paying special attention to the girl child,” said.
She added: ”Government recognises that any meaningful teaching or learning should use the local languages for infants to master certain concepts.
“As a local language, the Ndau language can be instrumental in the field of creative arts. Most children lack confidence in their creative endeavours when pushed to use foreign languages. The situation is that the Ndau language had been suppressed over the years resulting in very few local people opting for both literary arts and performing arts because they found the other languages a bit challenging.
“I believe that once the mother language is given its deserved value, local people will get out of their shells taking advantage of existing career opportunities for writers, actors and actresses, filmmakers, television and radio presenters, book illustrators, creation of media and publishing houses.”
The chairperson and director of NdaFA, Phillip Kusasa, said:
“This sixth edition of the festival is different from others. This time we brought in awards to the participants. We also have what we call Ndau development Center, where we can teach ndau.
Chipawo, Ndau Festival and Big Tree Primary School managed to teach disabled students how to draw and paint images. This is a milestone development in our history because since 2013 we have never included such children,” Kusasa said.
A visitor from Germany , Christa Zeller, also graced the festival.
“This event is very important not only for the Ndau people but for the whole of Zimbabwe. It’s important that the art and culture of the ancient people is passed on to new generation,” Zeller said.
The Ndau people have been neglected for a long time and this festival shows what kind of art, what kind of culture and how rich the culture is”
She said Chipinge was her second home.
“It’s something where my heart has been. I came here in 1985 with my little kids. My last daughter was born here, so a part of me is always here even if I’m in Germany,” she said.
