Yoneco Cultural Troupe takes Malawi to Harare Q: How can you describe your group’s participation at the festival?
A: The festival was a huge success and was billed as the biggest edition since its inception in 2014, celebrating its 10th anniversary under the theme ‘Empowering creativity, unleashing potential, amplifying voices”. It brought together artists, schools, traditional leaders, development partners and communities in a vibrant celebration of arts and culture. According to board chairperson Noboth Jembere, the festival has grown from a small community initiative into a recognised regional platform promoting music, dance, theatre, visual arts and cultural heritage.
Q: How many countries were represented at the festival?
A: There were three countries, Malawi Zambia and the host Zimbabwe officially participated in this year’s festival, making it the fourth edition to feature regional participation. Zambia was represented by Msanza Arts Theatre and Artbridge Foundation.
Q: What are some of the major events that took centre stage?
A: The festival featured a wide range of activities. It began with Schools Visual and Performing Arts Day at Karoi School Hall where learners showcased their artistic talents. Traditional culture was celebrated through the Bira kwaMambo Chanetsa featuring mbira, dinhe and other indigenous heritage performances. The main festival at Karoi Waterfront Grounds included music, dance, theatre, spoken word, visual arts, craft exhibitions and creative workshops. Evening collaborative performances brought together artists from Zimbabwe and the other participating countries, while the festival’s mentorship programme enabled experienced artists from the inaugural 2014 edition to mentor the next generation of performers.
Q: How do you feel that your cultural troupe was part of the festival?
A: We are honoured and delighted to have been a part of such a prestigious regional festival. It was a privilege to represent Malawi at an international platform, share our cultural heritage with audiences from different countries and interact with fellow artists. The experience strengthened cultural ties and demonstrated the important role that arts play in promoting unity and mutual understanding across the region. Arts and culture is the easiest and most convenient language Africa needs to embrace and fully recognise.
Q: What are some of the lessons that you have drawn from the festival?
A: The festival provided us with valuable exposure and the opportunity to learn from artists from Zimbabwe and Zambia. We exchanged ideas, improved our performance skills, built professional networks and gained a deeper appreciation of different cultural traditions. The experience also enhanced our confidence, promoted our cultural heritage and opened opportunities for future collaborations with other artists and cultural organisations.
Q: What traditional dances did you showcase at the festival?
A: Our troupe showcased a variety of traditional Malawian dances that reflect the country’s rich cultural diversity such as chisamba, madole, kandiyandiya, lichelo and many more including a storytelling dance on peace and unity for Africa as one. Through these performances, we shared Malawi’s cultural heritage with international audiences while promoting cultural exchange and appreciation among the participating countries. We also exhibited Malawian culture through preparation of Malawian traditional food cuisine and ate together with other participants just a representation of how communal culture is and the relevance of such organisation.
