his lean body promises something flawless and his athletic gait and poise gurantee it this dance carries the joyful pulse of centuries filled with the aura of a communal choreography driven by a pulsating talking drum in expert hands the serene contours on his contented face - how they belie the ostritch feathers ardoning his shaven head such artistic grace and coordination are truly phenomenal: his dancing head shakes in rhythm to the urgent vocals of the melody section of the dance troupe he blows a whistle to blend perfectly with the rest of the percussion his right hand plays a pair of shakers with amazing dexterity even as he directs affairs with a fly whisk in his left hand his left leg does some fancy footwork in the dust while the right one beats time in time to a silent dirge the beat of the drum is insistent and demands obedience to the dictates of heritage that require fluidity and excellence the dancer is happy to oblige with a maestro's rendition his smile and energy from the ages speak of art almost divine who is it that speaks of multitasking as a tiresome diversion? in this dance where one man does six different things at once multitasking is an indomitable brand as well as art incarnate!
There is a community, in my country Zimbabwe, domiciled in such places as Plumtree, Dombodema, Madlambuzi and so on. Their dances are absolutely incredible and I have always wanted to capture each dance in words. Here we are at last. I hope I succeed in sharing some of the wonder of the Kalanga Amabhiza dance.