Ngoma Ngairire Shamwari! Chibuku Neshamwari Festival Returns to Ignite Zimbabwean Culture in 2025
The heartbeat of Zimbabwean culture is set to pulse once again as the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival returns in 2025, promising a vibrant celebration of heritage, rhythm, and community. Now in its 61st year, the festival stands as a living symbol of national identity—where tradition meets modern spirit on stage.
This year’s theme, “Ngoma Ngairire Shamwari! Tshay’sgubhu Mngane!” is a call to arms—or rather, to feet—urging Zimbabweans from every corner of the country to embrace the power of dance as a unifier, storyteller, and cultural beacon.
“This is more than just a competition. It’s a celebration of who we are – a gathering of communities brought together by culture and rhythm,” said Irimayi Muzorewa, Marketing Director of Delta Corporation, the festival’s longstanding sponsor.
The festival will kick off on May 10, embarking on a dynamic countrywide journey through ten provincial finals before reaching a grand crescendo in the national finals on July 19. From Shamva to Bulawayo and Gweru, towns will transform into stages where drums speak, feet fly, and communities cheer on their best performers.
Last year’s victors from Mashonaland East stole the show with a breathtaking performance of the Mbende dance—a high-energy, spiritually-rooted dance form synonymous with Zimbabwean heritage. “We expect the same magic this year, if not more,” said Muzorewa.
And the stakes are high. Each provincial winner will receive US$2,500, while second and third places earn US$1,500 and US$1,000 respectively. The national showdown ups the ante: the winning group will take home US$15,000, with second place awarded US$10,000 and third place US$7,500.
Aspiring participants are encouraged to register through the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe or the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association. “We’re calling on all cultural dance groups to come forward and show Zimbabwe their moves,” Muzorewa added.
The Chibuku Neshamwari Festival is proudly organized in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association, with Delta Corporation as its driving force. Beyond its dazzling performances, the festival is a tribute to Zimbabwe’s diverse ethnic tapestry and a celebration of its living traditions.
As the first drumbeat sounds on May 10, Zimbabwe will once again sway to the rhythm of its roots—united, uplifted, and inspired.
