Traditional Dance Heritage of Zimbabwe

Description

This book contains 19 chapters that explore the dance traditions of the people of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s dances have not received substantial academic documentation; therefore, they have mostly remained practical, performative acts. Despite this, the education system, through primary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities, has helped to keep some of the dances alive via competitions that take place from district to national levels. Nevertheless, several dances are gradually disappearing from society as they are no longer performed. Many of these dances are slowly becoming extinct, which underscores the need to research and document them. The current book presents dance traditions from Manicaland, Mashonaland East and West, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and South provinces. The authors, through research, trace the origins of the dances and discuss their cultural and contemporary contexts. They also explain the social and spiritual significance of the dances. Using interviews and participant observations, information about the dance movements and formations is provided in clear, accessible language for readers. According to tradition bearers, these dance traditions reflect the beliefs, values, norms, and customs of the people. Everything that occurs within the dances conveys deep meanings as the community connects with one another and the spirit world. By reading this book, one can understand the importance of the props and their roles in real-life rituals, as evident in various dances. The attire, clothing, and animal skins worn by men and women signify the roles of females and males as they engage in unity and purpose. Musical instruments, especially horns, drums, hand shakers, and leg shakers, play crucial roles in accompanying songs, on which the dance performances are based, as the dancers execute steps and body movements. The dancers celebrate important life events. All the dances described in the book mirror life as a divine gift to humanity. Through dance, the people praise the creator (God) for health, peace, unity, and the fertility of both people and the land, which provides them with sufficient rainfall and bountiful harvests to ensure food security. The dance heritage embodies the traditional beliefs of the Ndebele, Shangani, Kalanga, and Shona (Zezuru, Karanga, Manyika, Ndau, Korekore) peoples. Through this dance heritage, they have resisted Western dominance and maintained their identity, as depicted in this book.