Performing Arts and Promotion of Peace and Unity in Zimbabwe: A Study of the Jikinya

Dance and Children’ Performing Arts Festivals

1.0 Background of the Study

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At the dawn of the 21 century the world’s leaders defined the Millennium Development Goals

(MDGs) to be achieved by the target date of 2015. These goals are; (i) eradicate extreme poverty

and hunger; (ii) achieve universal primary education; (iii) promote gender equality and empower

women; (iv) reduce child mortality; (v) improve maternal health; (vi) combat HIV/AIDS,

malaria and other diseases; (vii) ensure environmental sustainability; and (viii) develop a global

partnership for development. In September 2005 the leaders met again at the UN World Summit

and expressed their determination to ‘establish a just and lasting peace all over the world’ and

committed themselves to ‘promoting education for peace and human development.’

(www.un.org/summit)

Zimbabwe with its long history of a rich cultural heritage, particularly traditional expressions,

has a lot to contribute to world cultural diversity and development. Sharing the expression of

diversity can be a great source of enrichment for Zimbabwean societies, drawing from a broad

spectrum of world visions and creativity that offer all citizens several possible lifestyles

(UNESCO). Performing arts are a form of artistic expression, which is particularly suitable for

showing the benefits of diversity in the country. Furthermore, building peace and mutual

understanding in the minds of children, who will be the future leaders, is crucial for long-lasting

stability in Zimbabwe. The incomparably rich cultural heritage of Zimbabwe is a vital source of

inspiration for fostering understanding among the children. Encouraged by the success of other

events where children take part as performers, the researcher seeks to examine the impact of
festivals in peace building and mutual understanding through action research methodological

paradigms.

Festivals are occasions for feasting or celebration, especially a day or time of religious

significance that recurs at regular intervals or an often regularly recurring program of cultural

performance, exhibition or competitions (The America Heritage Dictionary 2009). Festivals

whether religious, cultural or secular play a very essential role in any local community, because

it helps to develop the pride and identity of a people. Festivals provide an opportunity for the

local communities to develop and share their culture, it showcases values and beliefs held by the

individuals in a local community and provide opportunity for members of the local community to

exchange experiences and information. Peace which is the absence of violence is key to the

development of any country especially Zimbabwe which is multi-cultural, multi-religious with

diverse tribes and tongues. Enduring peace is crucial for the development of any region; in

addition, it ensures harmony among people of different cultural and religious group (Broom

1991). Therefore, it is imperative to promote activities that will bring people together with a

unifying purpose. Moreso, peace and unity is very essential for national development, hence,

should not be undermined. To this end, harnessing different strategies which will bring about

restoration of durable peace in the nation is very vital for the prosperity and progress of the

country. Festivals therefore, is one measure which if considered will bring people together

because festivals irrespective of its nature, promote cultural exchange thereby increasing

understanding among people of different regions.

2.0 Objective of the Study

The study seeks to foster the exchange and appreciation of diverse cultural traditions and to

promote the culture of peace, especially among young people. It seeks to have a positive impact
on the ongoing efforts by Zimbabwe’s Jikinya Dance Festivals and other festivals organised by

different organisations to promote mutual understanding and encourage peaceful interactions

among youth from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

3.0 The study particularly seeks to:

a) use festivals as a way to share the unique cultural and artistic traditions of Zimbabwean ethnic

groups among the children

b) find out the impact of arts festivals in promoting national friendship and cooperation among

children and youth living in Zimbabwe

b) foster mutual understanding and respect through the exchange and performance of cultural

arts by children’s performing groups

4.0 Significance of the Study

The research will give young performers in Zimbabwe and outside unprecedented opportunity to

carry out exchanges with face-to-face contact. Children from different provinces of Zimbabwe

will stay and perform together in harmony despite the language and culture differences. The

participants exchange gifts, shake hands and take pictures together to cherish and preserve the

memory of the event. Children will be performing together on the same stage for the common

cause of peace and mutual understanding. Beyond the strong political symbol, such acts of

dialogue will have a long lasting impact on the children. This will act as a fulfillment of

UNESCO’s role as a peace building UN agency, particularly in the minds of the children for a

better future. The widely used mass media such as television, radio, newspapers and Internet,

will also allow dissemination of the activities of the Festival beyond the participants and raised

awareness of common cultural heritage shared by cultures of Zimbabwe and the need for

dialogue and mutual understanding for durable peace in the country.

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