Artistes feast in picturesque Nyanga

Bruce Ndlovu,Sunday Life Reporter

BETWEEN 27 and 29 October, the Nyanga Arts Festival is set to bring together a high-powered line-up of some of Zimbabwe’s elite artistes during an event that looks set to be a rare and compelling mix of art and tourism. 

The inaugural fete will be held at various venues in the famously picturesque and mountainous Eastern Highlands, with artistes from various genres set to entertain arts lovers over three days. 

Feli Nandi, Jah Prayzah, ‘‘Mangoma’’ Moyo and ‘‘Music According to Percussion’’, Memory Kumbota and Zenzo Nyathi, MC Abisha Palmer, the artist ‘‘Mystery’’ and ‘‘Sarungano and The Storytellers Band’’ are just some of the artistes that are set to entertain arts lovers at the fest. As it is multi-disciplinary showcase, the business side of music will also be explored with a masterclass on Thursday, 27 October with Music Crossroads Melody Zambuko, legendary drummer/band/tour manager Sam Mataure, and Lisa Sidambe of Nhimbe Trust speaking on the global initiative ‘‘Music Decent Work.’’

In a statement, organisers of the fest said that Nyanga was ready to welcome its visitors, with the fest providing a rare opportunity for those that wanted to mix the arts and tourism.

“A short road trip from both Harare and Mutare, the town is gearing up, the people of Nyanga preparing to welcome visitors for this inaugural event which will lay the foundations for increased awareness, appreciation and tourism to this unique part of the country, steeped in history, rich in its unique cultural traditions and situated in the pristine beauty of its rolling hills and majestic mountains. The programme is alive with diversity — from deep traditional to popular contemporary African music, environment-conscious theatre, the work of sculptors and craftspeople of Nyanga, a music business masterclass and NGO directors summer retreat, sampling of fine Nyanga ciders and other produce, nature and sightseeing tours – something for everyone and a great family weekend outing,” the statement read. 

Contributing strongly to the Cultural Heritage Tourism element of the festival, the ensemble ‘Music According to Percussion’ (aka MAP) will be venturing deeper than lively entertainment, reaching into the past and bringing knowledge and experience of the Nyonganyonga/Malimba and the Nyanga Panpipes back to their place of origin. Both instruments had become endangered, seen only in museums, but are now being brought to both festival visitors and local communities in the exciting Bira at the homestead of Chief Saunyama. 

The organisers also said that the Nyanga Arts Festival is the only local festival with a mandate that encompasses heritage tourism and climate change, and an unparalleled resource for mitigation and resilience because cultural heritage, natural heritage and creativity can all contribute to addressing the root causes of climate change. National Arts Council director Nicholas Moyo said that hosting of the fest was proof that the arts had healed from the wounds inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“The hosting of the inaugural Nyanga Arts Festival is a much-welcome development for the Cultural and Creative Sector in Zimbabwe and provides proof that the sector has managed to pick itself up and recover from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic. The festival is a unique opportunity to uplift Zimbabwe’s diverse arts and cultural products while promoting and showcasing Nyanga as a tourist destination of choice. I would like to congratulate the organisers for putting up this event which provides a platform for artists to showcase their craft, share experiences in the workshop accompanying the festival and above all increase the platform for the consumption of local Cultural and Creative Sector products and services,” he said.