Martin Muleya
MUTARE-The stage is almost set, the drums are being heat, and the spirit of heritage is stirring once again.
The 2026 edition of the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival will commence next month, running until the 11th of July this year, in a vibrant celebration of Zimbabwe’s culture and community.
As tradition dictates, the festival will roll out across the country’s 10 provinces on May 9 beginning with Bulawayo at Manor Hotel, each one a spirited build-up to the prestigious national finals. Under the unifying theme ‘Ngoma Ngairire Shamwari, Tshay’sgubhu Mngane’ the multi award-winning festival continues to strike a deep chord with communities, connecting people through the passion and expression of dance, culture and shared heritage.
Mash Central Province finals will be held on May 1 at The Grove Bar, Mt Darwin as well Masvingo Province at Tafara Madondo Hotel in Gutu.
In Mat South the finals will be held at Collen Bawn Beer Hall in Gwanda Town while on the same date Mash East Province will hold its finals at Camp and Caravan in Murehwa.
The Harare Provincial finals will be held at Werras Park, Glen View 1 on June 6, Mash West finals are slated for June 13 at Yolla Bar in the provincial capital, Chinhoyi and Mat North on same date at New Tavern Beer Hall in Victoria Falls, Manicaland Provincial finals are set for Maandel Bar, Watsomba in Nyanga on June 20 as well as Midlands Province at Patsime Tavern in Mbizo 7, Kwekwe.
The finals will be held on July 11 at a venue to be advised.
Over the years, Chibuku Neshamwari has grown into more than just a competition. It has become a beloved national platform that preserves tradition while weaving friendship across provinces. From the dusty grounds of rural growth points to packed city arenas, the festival brings generations together, reminding Zimbabweans that our dances carry stories, our rhythms carry memory and our togetherness carrying strength.
The stakes are high again this year. Dance groups in each province will battle for glory and monetary prizes with first prize set at US$2 500, second prize US$1 500 and third prize at US$1 000 at the provincial finals.
In Manicaland Province the first prize went to Semvumba Arts Ensemble in 2025 with their electrifying Dinhe dance. Hailing from Zimbabwe’s rich performing arts scene, Semvumba is known not just for their mastery of traditional dances like Dinhe and Amabhiza but for using performance as social education-tackling issues such as drug abuse and child marriage while championing youth empowerment. Hot on their heels was Chenhaka Dance Academy of Chinyambera dance who claimed the second prize.
Harare-based Green Stars triumphed at the 2025 Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance finals held today at the Mutare Showgrounds, securing a prize of US$15,000. The second-placed Goromonzi Arts Ensemble earned US$10000, while the hosts, Semvumba Arts Ensemble, finished third with US$7500.
