Meeting the Bikita Cultural Club keeping Ngororombe dance alive

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 On Sunday, the second of April, my friend John Vekris - a senior Zimbabwean, former editor and Zimbabwean culture and art expert invited me to go see the 'Ngororombe' dancers in Epworth (a settlement a little out of the city). On arrival we were met by Lovemore, one of the Club's leaders who gave John directions to the meeting place a few metres into the cluster of settlement. 

Before I explain what I saw, let me give a bit of background. Mr Vekris a long time partner and supporter of the Club said to me, "Musukutwa Bikita Cultural Club were formed in the late 90s. Lovemore would know exactly which year. Like most non-professional dancing clubs they are actually burial societies, pooling money together to assist with funeral expenses. Since the economic collapse around 2008, most such clubs/societies shut down. (They could not meet in numbers and lost all their savings). Lovemore is now in the process of reviving MBCC."

THe club has its unique style of dance or "Mitoo/mitowo"_ essentially means (different) "styles". Every village in Bikita/Gutu/Buhera has its own, distinctive mutoo for ngororombe/kwaira. Ngororombe/kwaira from Bikita and surrounding areas is completely different from ngororombe in Murewa. The different mitoo are; 

Sengwe, Munikwa, 'Mrs', Donkeri, Bopa mutubuki, Jemedza mbuya, Makudo kumunda and Chikweti.

Back to our story. We met the group already gathered, having finished their Club's business. On this particular day they wanted to sample out the new set of drums the club had purchased. The younger dancers were said to be out of town so we had the older dancers entertain us whilst we watched on from our esteemed sits. From my little knowledge of traditional dancing I could even tell that there was something unique about their style. It is not fast dance, but their moves are fun to watch. 

I really admired the work these men are putting, especially in keeping their cultural heritage alive. In modern day Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 - its rare to see people wanting to invest their time on something that's of no financial benefit. So I was impressed. And also because of the camaraderie and sense of community these people have despite the conditions they live under.

The session was gate crushed by the 'zvigure'/ masked dancers, who have their origins in Zambia 🇿🇲,  so are not part of Zimbabwean culture.



Above scenes from Sunday 

John said "We produced this calendar for the year 2000, after they won the Chibuku Neshamwari competition in 1999."

A video of one of the mitoo

A 'chigure' dancer.

https://spikedmedia.co.zw/ngororombe-the-tenacity-of-living-heritage-through-dance-and-entertainment/

A more better written article on ngororombe on the link above.

https://www.herald.co.zw/traditional-dances-under-threat/

And the other from the Herald.


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