Ndau festival of the arts to spotlight storytellin...

Ndau festival of the arts to spotlight storytelling and inter-generational connections

Zim Now Writer

The annual Ndau Festival of the Arts is set to celebrate storytelling and old-age wisdom this year, with a focus on bridging the gap between generations. According to festival director Phillip Kusasa, this year’s event will feature a symposium and a weekend of cultural exchanges, entertainment, and empowerment.

The festival kicks off with a one-day symposium on September 7 at Chikore High School, followed by the main festival on September 8 in Bangira Village.

Kusasa described the symposium's theme as "Mainstreaming the elderly through the young in creative arts: Promoting inter-generational understanding and co-operation." He emphasized that the event aims to explore how creative arts can foster connections between young people and elders, who are considered the custodians of culture and wisdom in many African societies.

"We invite researchers, artists, and cultural practitioners to submit abstracts that showcase innovative approaches to inter-generational collaboration, creative expression, and social inclusion," Kusasa said.

The festival will feature a wide array of creative productions, including traditional Ndau dance and music, poetry and theatre, visual art exhibitions, and storytelling. Attendees can also expect cultural food displays, workshops, and a symposium. Past festivals have featured community artists like Edwin Hlatywayo, who exhibits Ndau-inspired paintings and is part of the Paiyapo Mbira Group.

The Ndau festival draws inspiration from the deeply rooted traditions of Africa, where elders pass down knowledge through stories, proverbs, and songs. This practice is captured in the Akan proverb, "You can only tap wine from a mature palm tree," highlighting the value of wisdom gained with age.

The festival and symposium are designed to stimulate discussion on how elder-led artistic efforts can promote community development, a concept supported by initiatives like the Grandmothers’ Storytelling Project in Tanzania. The symposium will explore sub-themes such as inter-generational storytelling, creative co-production, digital inclusion, and community engagement.

Kusasa founded the Ndau Festival of the Arts, also known as the Paiyapo Arts Festival, in 2013 to preserve traditional Ndau values in the face of modern cultural influences. Since then, the festival has grown from a local gathering into an internationally recognized event.

Kusasa’s participation in global forums, such as the 2025 Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Spain, has led to new opportunities for the festival, including the SADZA Fund, which supports original artistic works.