The Tsholotsho San community will come together at the Tsholotsho business centre to celebrate their rich cultural heritage at the Ibhoro Cultural Festival. Held under the theme “Tjware Tjware: We are the people,” the event aims to safeguard the traditions and language of the Tjwa, or San, people.
The festival will be spearheaded by the Tsoro-o-tso San Development Trust, whose director, Davy Ndlovu, emphasizes the importance of the Ibhoro dance in preserving San culture. “The Ibhoro dance embodies the very essence of our tradition, philosophy, and identity,” he explains. “Our ancestors were forced to migrate to Ndebele and Kalanga territories due to the creation of Wankie National Park, leading to significant cultural and linguistic shifts.”
The impact of these changes is starkly evident: only a handful of the 2,500 Zimbabwean Tjwa/San community members still actively speak the Tjwa language. Despite this, the Ibhoro dance remains a powerful symbol of resilience, preserving cultural heritage through generations.
The festival aims to document how the language of the San people is preserved through song and dance. “We recognize that cultural practices are crucial in preventing the loss of our language,” Ndlovu states. “The festival also highlights the vital role of orature, through song and dance, in transmitting values, norms, and beliefs across generations in African societies.”
The Ibhoro dance, in particular, holds a special place in San culture. “It is the heart of our socio-cultural identity, safeguarding our heritage, values, knowledge, and beliefs,” Ndlovu emphasizes.
The San people’s unique relationship with nature is also reflected in their totem system, where animal names are used to represent lineage. This system served as a form of wildlife preservation, as individuals were forbidden from consuming the animal associated with their totem. For example, the Tjwa of the Ndlovu totem are prohibited from eating elephant meat.
The Ibhoro Cultural Festival is a testament to the San community’s unwavering commitment to preserving their heritage, reminding us of the vital role that culture plays in shaping identity and ensuring the continuity of traditions for future generations.
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