The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa Entertainment Correspondent
THE maiden Odzi cultural festival which took place at Odzi Valley Leisure Centre recently proved to be a success following the showcasing of various unique Manyika traditional cultural activities.
The event, which was a first of its kind in Odzi, popularised the various Manyika people’s culture to the world. Scores of youths participated in singing, dancing, poetry and modelling categories. Elder women in the Odzi community taught the young generation the Manyika culture of doing things that are only unique when it comes to the Shona culture. Activities in the traditional foods category included preparing and cooking of roasted cowpea dishes (rupiza), roasting groundnuts (mutetenerwa) and roasting pumpkin seeds. In the modelling category, Mary Masevha and Takarindwa Machucha of Odzi High School and Odzi Primary School were crowned Miss and Mr Culture crowns respectively. The contestants battled it out in categories such as traditional dancing, grounding and balancing clay pots full of water on their heads without aid. In an interview, co-organiser of the event, Vongai Karombe said they also invited religious groups to celebrate diversity and showcase their culture as culture has become dynamic and people can no longer be defined without talk of their religion.
“We had the apostolic churches which include ZCC, churches that were formed in Zimbabwe a long time back and form part of our culture as Zimbabweans. It is our hope that youths will realise that our culture remains with us despite the fact that the world has suddenly become a global village. She said the show will help in marketing the Manyika youths to the world, as well as advance the unique culture.”
Winning contestants walked away with various cash prizes. The event was the brain child of Headman Blandina Nyamanhindi of Makoni District.
