Beyond the Dance: A look at Mbende (Jerusarema) Traditional Dance in Zimbabwe
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Traditional dance occupies a pivotal place in the economic,political and socio-cultural system in African traditionalsociety. This role survives to the present day manifested inseveral performances that have stood the test of time andalien influences. Despite the onslaught of colonialism,Christianity and westernization, traditional dances havesurvived to this day, albeit with modifications. Mbende /Jerusarema in Zimbabwe is one dance that has withstoodthe test of time and western influence. It is an importantcultural expression which in 2005 was listed on theUNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible heritageof humanity list, making it one of the few African culturalexpressions accorded such recognition. This paper looksinto the history of the dance, the material culture and theskills and know-how associated with the uniqueperformance. Observations in this paper were inspired bythe research carried out by the committee formed toprepare a nomination file for the Mbende dance to theUNESCO masterpieces list in 2003, of which I was amember
Abstract
Traditional dance occupies a pivotal place in the economic,political and socio-cultural system in African traditionalsociety. This role survives to the present day manifested inseveral performances that have stood the test of time andalien influences. Despite the onslaught of colonialism,Christianity and westernization, traditional dances havesurvived to this day, albeit with modifications. Mbende /Jerusarema in Zimbabwe is one dance that has withstoodthe test of time and western influence. It is an importantcultural expression which in 2005 was listed on theUNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible heritageof humanity list, making it one of the few African culturalexpressions accorded such recognition. This paper looksinto the history of the dance, the material culture and theskills and know-how associated with the uniqueperformance. Observations in this paper were inspired bythe research carried out by the committee formed toprepare a nomination file for the Mbende dance to theUNESCO masterpieces list in 2003, of which I was amember