Cultural dances excite students

Students from various primary and secondary schools from around Blantyre on Friday had a rare treat when they were entertained by various traditional dances from Nsanje, Mangochi and Kasungu districts.

The performances were part of the official launch of a DVD containing cultural dances from the three districts the Department of Museum recorded to preserve and popularise them.

Catherine Tipoti from Blantyre Girls Primary School said she was excited to watch the dances,saying it was her first experience.

“I have never seen such dances before. The men and women are so strong and not shy. They are dancing really well,” she said.

Another student from Chichiri Primary School, who only identified himself as John, said though he attended the cultural afternoon without his parents’ approval, he was glad to have come, saying it was worth the risk.

“The Ulimba dance to me is outstanding. The sound is better than the sound of a piano. They should do this often,” he said.

Speaking earlier during the official launch of the traditional dances DVD, Princial Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Civic Education and Community Development Symon Maliko said songs and dances Malawians perform have to be preserved for future generations.

“Our children today are dancing more and more toNigerian music and have no idea about the beauty of their own dances and songs,” he said.

Maliko said Malawians are now more exposed to foreign cultures, saying it is now time to make things right by promoting local songs and dances.

Some of the traditional dances on the DVD are Chimtali from Kasungu, Batcha and Ulimba from Nsanje, Chikongo and Mchomawanga from Mangochi and Gule wa Mkulu from Kasungu.

The DVDs, according to Chichiri Museum education officer Aaron Maluwa, will be distributed in all radio and TV stations, museums and places of tourism attraction, among other places.

The American Embassy funded the project. n