Welcome to another awesome edition of African traditional dance moves.
On todays episode We are visiting the wonderful southern African country - Zimbabwe
to discover 10 of the best traditional dances performed in this country. By
all means, do tell us which dance move you think is tight. Lets begin
Shangara Traditional Dance
Shangara is an amazing traditional dance style performed in central Mashonaland.
The dance involves a fast rhythmic footwork by two or more people within a circle of
gathering. The music produced for the shangara dance is one of Africas finest . just listen
Isitshikitsha Traditional Dance
Isitshikitsha dance is an important dance of the Matabeleland province in Zimbabwe.
Historically performed for the King's pleasure,
it was also commonly performed for 'injelele' a rainmaking ceremony
held during drought seasons. The dance routine employs a unique brand of rhythm and style.
Jerusarema Dance Not to be confused with Jerusalema
Jerusarema Dance is a popular dance style practiced by the Zezuru Shona people living in
eastern part of Zimbabwe. The dance was once known as Mbende Dance but had to changed to Jerusarema
for some weird reasons. This is a fertility dance as you can see by its sexually suggestive moves.
The dance is characterized by acrobatic and sensual movements by both men and women,
driven by a polyrhythmic drummer accompanied by men playing woodblock clappers and women,
handclapping and yodelling . Unlike other African dance styles,
the Jerusarema does not rely on intricate foot stamping or a large number of drummers.
Mhande Dance
Mhande dance is mostly popular among the Karanga people of Zimbabwe. The dance uses
indigenous ritual context or spirituality (known as chikaranga) There is a repertoire of songs sung
for mhande, each used to call different spirits. Sorry Im not trying to scare you but it is what
it is Most mhande dancers are accompanied by two drummers, hand clapping from other people nearby,
and rattles that are attached to the dancers’ legs to emphasize the rhythms made by their feet
as they dance. In some contexts, there may also be several marimbas involved in the ensemble.
Mbira Dance
Perhaps the most religious of all Zimbabwean.
It is usually performed by community elders at important ancestral ceremonies such as the Bira.
The dance is accompanied by mbira music and used as medium to invite ancestral spirits.
The dance is very unique for its intricate feet
movements , graceful pauses and high energy jump bursts.
Hey if you still enjoying the video? Sharing with a friend would be … a tight move
Dinhe Dance
The Dinhe is a dance of the Korekore ethnic group who reside in the Northern Zimbabwe.
Dinhe is meant to exhibits the agricultural aspects of life. Hence this dance routine
Muchongoyo Dance
As you can see by the sheer energy of the this dance. muchongoyo dance was historically
performed by men in preparation for war or…. after war. The dance is typically
performed with a stick that serves as spear and a shield. Women do the singing while men
do the hardlifting. The signature movement is stamping, and dramatic gestures as well
as mimetic elements. It is also worth mentioning that Muchongoyo is a recreational dance and does
not have any religious feature but instead highlights the events of the the society
Jiti Dance Jiti
is a rural type of music and dance popular among the people of Zimbabwe. Jiti is at the
same time a traditional dance mainly peformed by the youth, used to celebrate the arrival of
a daughter-in-law at a wedding and could also be used for recreational purposes.
Amabhiza Dance Amabhiza
is a Kalanga traditional dance form, the dance originated among the Kalanga people of Zimbabwe.
Amabhiza was performed in social gatherings. The dances follow the actions of a horse.
In the past, amabhiza dance was used to appease the spirits of the rainmakers for a good harvest.