Traditional dancer urges peers to own their culture
13-YEAR-OLD Tanya Tangwanda, a traditional dancer with Dzimbahwe Dance Group has urged fellow peers to be proud of their culture.
In an interview during the recent Culture Day commemorations at Mkushi Academy (formerly Morris Depot), Tangwanda expressed her pride in being African.
“Such a day teaches us to be proud of our culture. I am a traditional dancer, and this has helped me understand and connect with my roots to a deeper level.”
“As a dance group, it’s not all about dance, we get to connect with our roots. I was chosen for a purpose which am proud to uphold,” she said.
Encouraging the masses to stay within their culture, despite current trends, Tangwanda said most youngsters are exposed to our cultural background through “matare,”.
“Here we are taught of ancient traditional ways to respect, acknowledge and share our cultural experience as a people,” she said.
Having been identified at a later stage in life, Tangwanda appreciates the support her family has given her in the journey thus far.
“I started engaging and getting inquisitive about our culture last year. I just took a deep liking hence the deep desire to explore.
Balancing academics and her assumed career path has never been a challenge for her as she has a programmed schedule.
“There has never really been a challenge with my school work as I manage both respectively. I focus on my school work during weekdays and on weekends after my studies I do practicals.”
Tangwanda who goes by totem “Tembo” which is represented by the zebra, says during the practice she feels an inner connection with her roots.
“I am a singer and dancer, that builds momentum in me and it connects me to my roots. They call me Tembo during a procession, acknowledging my totem as that is where I come from,” she said.
Living in a new millennium it is quite rare to find teenagers involved in cultural activities upholding their culture. However, for Tangwanda it has been a learning curve that she has welcomed with open hands and is eager to learn.
“I might have been born in an era where pop culture dominates.
“That has however not deterred me from who I am. I still value myself as a young girl. I have been taught our culture making me proud to be an African.
“It is an experience I aim to share with a lot of people out there as we celebrate being African. I am open to learning more about our cultural practices,”
Still finding herself as any teenager would be in their path, she has hopes of becoming a doctor someday.
“With the knowledge I have and experience, I am yet to gain as I grow older l hope to be a doctor someday.”
However, making a difference in society while upholding her culture and tradition, Dzimbahwe Dance Group has managed to live true to the phrase “catch them young” as it has made room for toddlers making them part of their choreography and line up during prestigious events.