By  Ruvimbo Hope Masike

Here is one of the most beautiful things about Zimbabwe. It is inimitably Zimbabwean. We Zimbabweans love peace, of course, among other things. We love fun, joy and we are naturally celebratory people even when there isn’t much to celebrate about. For instance young children jump around joyously chanting “Ndege! Ndege!” when an aeroplane passes over them. Now when there is something worthy of the celebration, the joy is electric, understandably so, considering how almost everything else around us is seemingly dull and confusing and uninspiringly so.

As a result, when Isabel Matola’s Mozambique Dance Festival came by, it turned out to be one of the brightest lights in town, which was a well deserved acclaim.

Let me take you into the finer details so that you understand how it is I say this.

Dance in general is about body movement as a medium of communication. Different, talented, young and vibrant dancers and singers were in interesting and confrontational conversation with the equally energetic audience at the festival which took place on the 29th of November (2008) at the Zimbabwe College of Music (ZCM).

Some of the dances are (the most commonly known type) very sexually passionate and potentially intimidating to people of a different culture who might not appreciate the vehement hip-shaking and thorough exhibition of the curvaceous nature of the African full figure.

Mozambique dances are at one moment elegant and princely like the dance called Tufo Nsope from Nampula Province in Mozambique. It was performed beautifully by young Kuwadzana 3 Primary School pupils under Chipawo, dressed in red and java materials from Mozambique.

At times the dances take a different shape, being vigorous and intensely stately like No ndje dance which is from Cabo Delgado Province. This dance which is symbolic of soldiers in war was performed by the National Ballet Dance Foundation Course (DFC) students who did a brilliant job of it. Some of the dances are (the most commonly known type) very sexually passionate and potentially intimidating to people of a different culture who might not appreciate the vehement hip-shaking and thorough exhibition of the curvaceous nature of the African full figure.

One such dance is Zore, from Inhambana Province which was successfully demonstrated by the ever vibrant Umoja Ensemble. The atmosphere in the audience was tensely electric at seeing this one. Need I say more?

Other dances that were performed include Xinganana from Gaza Province done by National Certificate in Music (NCM) students at ZCM. This dance is particularly interesting because it is very similar to the Zimbabwean Chingonana dance variation done as part of the Muchongoyo dance, showing how homogeneous African dances are at times.

DFC students exhibited their fine dancing skills and flexibility in Xigubo (also quite sexual) from Maputo Province, Xiwoda from Niassa Province and the popular Marrbeuta again from Maputo Province. Mapiko from Cabo Delgado and Niketxe from Zambezia Province were done by National Certificates students from the Zimbabwe College of Music. Umoja Ensemble also performed Limbondo from Cabo-Delgado and with the same rhythm as the once popular Diwali rhythm and Ngalanga from Inhambane Province. The youngest participants of the show, children from Kuwadzana 3 Primary School also did Ngalanga again and Cena from Maputo Province.

Dance gives rejuvenating freedom to the body, the mind and the spirit. It opens you up.

Dance liberates! It liberates much more than the physical muscles. Whether done perfectly or by an amateur, dance gives rejuvenating freedom to the body, the mind and the spirit. It opens you up.
As a Zimbabwe College of Music student who is being coached by Isabel, I learnt to find consolation, joy and peace in dance. The festival was filled with unstoppable, contagious energy transmitted directly from the enjoying, liberated dancers to the audience. Much as it was also serving as Isabel’s farewell event, the sadness of loosing a good coach was outdone by the joy of performing and/or watching the amazing products of her hard work.

Besides learning the exotic and challenging dance moves, we all learnt that it is a passionate heart that makes the difference between well said and well done.

Besides learning the exotic and challenging dance moves, we all learnt that it is a passionate heart that makes the difference between well said and well done. Under such a depressing economic environment, where many are thinking about bread and butter issues, Isabel managed to remain strong and self-motivated. She taught us not to compromise ourselves. “You are all you have got.”

So after tiresome lessons, serious rehearsals and absolutely no financial motivation, Isabel Matola, Zimbabwe College of Music, National Ballet, Umoja Ensemble and Chipawo put up an amzing  dance festival that left the audience screaming for more.

We enjoyed every minute of your “broken” English and strict lessons Isabel. Thank you and farewell.

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