THE Midlands Marimba Arts Festival has lived to its billing by showcasing rich traditional marimba music and cultural identity.
The festival, which was held in Gweru last weekend under the theme, Heritage-Based Curriculum: Starting From What We Have, saw participants from school bands such as Lundi Park Primary School and Ascot High School, as well as the community, walking away with accolades after performing marimba songs.
Xae Magura and Atidaishe Mlambo, both from Lundi Park Primary School, scooped the Youngest Award and Most Versatile Award, respectively. Meanwhile, Midlands capital artist Uncle Changa was honoured with the Most Dedicated Voluntary Marimba Coach Award from the community.
Midlands businessman and farmer Kingstone John, the guest speaker, applauded the festival founder and executive director, Tinomutenda Chihora, for organising the annual cultural exhibition, which he said showcased a rich traditional music heritage and cultural identity.
"His dream is clear and unwavering, to create a happy, musically literate Zimbabwe that cherishes its musical heritage and uplifts the traditional instruments that connect us to our roots, especially the marimba," John said.
He said th==is year’s theme aligned education with identity, “that roots learning in culture and that elevates indigenous knowledge systems to the forefront of national development”.
John, who is also the founder and director of Kibeth Security Services Pvt Ltd, commended the festival for honouring budding legends, referring to young performers, composers, and creators on their musical journey.
"By recognising these budding legends, the festival loudly says that our future heroes of music are already among us and they are rooted in heritage," he said.
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"This is more than a festival, it is a launchpad for Zimbabwe's next generation of musical trailblazers."
Midlands Marimba Arts Festival founder and director Chihora said the arts extravaganza had plans for philanthropic work.
"Our vision is to visit children's homes and prisons providing psycho-social support through marimba and mbira music," he said.
"We would also like to disseminate performance skills as well as the transcription of our traditional music to embrace the digital economy and to achieve this goal, we appeal to the corporate world for financial support."
Chihora said the Midlands State University Master's Class played a pivotal role in organinising this year's festival.
Last year's edition of the festival saw various school bands walking away with trophies, medals and certificates after performing marimba songs.
