Ndau Festival of the Arts celebrates storytelling, old-age wisdom

Phillip Kusasa, the director of the Ndau Festival of the Arts, has said this year’s edition will celebrate storytelling and old-age wisdom As a forerunner to the festival at Bangira Village on September 8, a symposium will be held at Chikore High School the day before In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, Kusasa promised a weekend of cultural exchanges, entertainment and empowerment through creative productions such as traditional Ndau dance and music, poetry and theatre, visual art exhibitions and storytelling, cultural food displays, workshops and a symposium Artists featured in the past included community members like Edwin Hlatywayo who exhibits Ndau-inspired paintings and mbira music and works with the Paiyapo Mbira Group

In Africa, where traditions, heritage and communal values are deeply rooted, the elderly occupy a significant place as custodians of culture and wisdom Several studies highlight creative arts as a tool for social and inter-generational engagement For instance, the World Health Organisation’s 2019 report underscores the transformative power of artistic activities on the role of arts in improving health and well-being Procedurally, the young people are educated through stories, proverbs, songs as well as by their lived and felt experiences

They learn from the elders by listening, living and doing As the Akan proverb says: “You can only tap wine from a mature palm tree” In Africa, notable initiatives like the Grandmothers’ Storytelling Project in Tanzania have demonstrated how elder-led artistic efforts preserve cultural heritage while enhancing societal unity Likewise, storytelling by the elderly among the Ndau people is not alien with the figure of Sarungano coming to mind

Through the symposium, there is a desire to stimulate discussion on how elder-led artistic endeavours can promote inter-generational collaboration for community development Kusasa launched the Ndau Festival of the Arts (also referred to as Paiyapo Arts Festival) in 2013 as a platform to halt the erosion of traditional Ndau values under colonial legacy and modern cultural influence The festival has grown from a local gathering to an internationally-recognised event Kusasa’s participation in global forums such as the 2025 Atelier for Young Festival Managers in San Sebastián, Spain, has introduced new practices, networking and funding opportunities like the SSADZA Fund to support original artistic works

In the rhythm of drums, in the whisper of folktales and in the steps of traditional dance, the past walks with us, and through the Ndau Festival, it shall speak once more next month at Chikore High School and Bangira Village.

Source: NewsDay Zimbabwe