Ndau Festival to Spotlight Storytelling and Traditional Wisdom

The 2025 edition of the Ndau Festival of the Arts will focus on storytelling and inter-generational wisdom as central themes. Phillip Kusasa, the festival’s director, confirmed that this year’s program aims to celebrate cultural knowledge passed down through generations.

The main event takes place on September 8 at Bangira Village. A one-day symposium will precede it on September 7 at Chikore High School.

Kusasa said the festival would feature a range of activities including traditional Ndau dance and music, poetry, theatre, visual art exhibitions, storytelling, cultural food displays, workshops, and discussions. He described it as a platform for cultural exchange and empowerment.

The symposium theme is Mainstreaming the Elderly through the Young in Creative Arts: Promoting Inter-generational Understanding and Co-operation. Researchers, artists, and cultural practitioners are invited to present ideas and projects that show how arts can bridge the gap between generations.

Kusasa explained that the goal is to explore how creative expression fosters respect, cooperation, and shared identity between youth and elders. Sub-themes include inter-generational storytelling, digital inclusion, community engagement, and collaborative production.

Past editions have featured artists like Edwin Hlatywayo, known for his Ndau-inspired paintings and work with the Paiyapo Mbira Group. These community artists use traditional art forms to preserve heritage and inspire younger audiences.

Research supports the role of arts in improving well-being and strengthening social ties. The World Health Organization’s 2019 report identified creative engagement as a factor in better mental health and improved social cohesion.

In African societies, elders are primary keepers of oral tradition, history, and moral instruction. Proverbs, stories, and songs are common tools used to pass down knowledge. Projects like Tanzania’s Grandmothers’ Storytelling Project show how elder-led efforts can reinforce cultural values while building unity.

Among the Ndau, the role of the Sarungano (storyteller) remains a respected tradition. Kusasa said the symposium aims to discuss how such roles can be adapted or elevated to strengthen community development through collaboration.

Kusasa founded the Ndau Festival in 2013 to preserve traditional Ndau identity against pressures from colonial legacies and global cultural change. Since then, the festival has grown into an internationally-recognised event.

His involvement in global forums, including the 2025 Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Spain, has opened new networks and funding opportunities, such as the SSADZA Fund, to support original creative projects.

This year’s Ndau Festival promises not only entertainment but also deep cultural learning. Through drum rhythms, traditional dances, and elder-led stories, the past will once again shape the present in Bangira Village and Chikore High School.