THE Tshangani community in Chiredzi celebrated their cultural identity in style after successfully hosting the Budula festival recently, bringing together Tshangani communities from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mozambique.
The festival held in Boli, Mhlanguleni in Chiredzi, was characterised by various Tshangani cultural dance groups from across the district competing in the spectacular Xibelani dance show as well as exhibitions showcasing the rich Tshangani cultural tapestry.
Famous Xibelani dance groups drawn from across all chieftainships in Chiredzi left the crowd gathered for the festival, asking for more.
The Budula festival was cited as key in connecting Tshangani communities within the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation area through cultural exchange, with plans on course to introduce new activities such as the Budula marathon in the future.
“We have gathered here to celebrate the Xibelani culture. The Xibelani culture, is a culture found in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The good part of this culture is that it incorporates Tshangani women’s dances and dressing so we are here to support the local women, their resilience, and their role in the community and this is why we all put on this cloth, and as much as this Xibelani dance is colourful and regional it is not documented in terms of its evolution, in terms of its influence. So the festival is an opportunity to document this dance regionally,” explained Budula Festival organiser, Mr Herbert Pikela.
Officiating at the festival, Zimparks Director of Scientific Services, Professor Never Mubako, said the survival of the country’s cultural heritage in the digital age is at stake.
“We want to applaud you for this event, it is a step in the right direction towards preserving our culture. Culture is key in conservation issues, and we want to applaud our traditional leaders for supporting this initiative, which seeks to safeguard our cultural heritage,” he said.
Previously known as the Great Limpopo Trans Frontier Cultural Trade Fair, the Budula Festival, an annual event, was formed
