shire Valley celebrates art, culture

Culture enthusiasts in the Shire Valley and surrounding areas on Friday and Saturday gathered at Nsanje Prison Ground for the Khulubvi and Cultural Festival.

According to one of the organisers under Nyamithambo Arts, Eric Trinta, the event was meant to celebrate arts and culture.

“We want to show the country that the Shire Valley is full of talent and unique traditions such as dance and music,” he said.

Various traditional dance groups lined up to show their talents and celebrate the culture.

The women and men from the area also displayed various food stuffs such as nyika and aphrodisiacs which patrons sampled.

Utse, probably one of the most popular traditional dances at the festival, was thoroughly enjoyed by patrons. Various groups performed the dance, with each group trying to outshine the other. Raising their hands half up in the air and wriggling their waists to the sound of the drums, made the dance a marvel to watch.

Mabyoka, valimba and other traditional dances were also performed by both men and women.

Nsanje district commissioner Dominic Mwandira attended the event alongside traditional leaders and ward councillors.

Later, popular artists from the Shire Valley also took to the main stage to celebrate art. They included Agorosso, Nyandoro Nthenga, John Fire and many others.

Random interviews indicated that patrons felt satisfied with the celebration.

Said Kingsley Alufandika: “The sounds being produced here are typical Nsanje and Chikwawa sounds. For years, we have almost been ashamed of our culture and traditions and I am now glad that we can celebrate and promote it openly.”

Another patron, who was selling aphrodisiacs, only identified as Antonio, said: “Men from the Shire Valley and strong. But during celebrations time, we get to show the world some of our natural enhancing roots.”

In the evening, the Shire Valley sounds vibrated at the venue until late into the night.

At the end of the event, Trinta said he was satisfied with the art and traditional dances displayed at the event.

“We are moving in the right direction. We will do better in subsequent festivals,” he said.