Dance groups unearth Kasompe residents’ buried culture
By GETHSEMANE MWIZABI
KASOMPE Township in Chingola was last weekend lit by various cultural dancing groups comprising elders and youths.
The 36 cultural groups sponsored by Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) entertained the crowds with breathtaking messages from their vernacular songs.
At the same time, many people were encouraged to undergo Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) at tents mounted in the playground.
In their performances, the groups were depicting Zambia’s various traditional ceremonies, much to the liking of cultural lovers, who had gathered to witness the cultural weekend performances.
“We don’t want the young generation to lose track of who they should be. Culture is an important component of our identity as a people,” said Boniface Musapa 76, from the Imbeni Cultural Dance Group.
The 76-year old, bemoaned what he termed the “perforation of Zambia” as a result of the Western influence saying there was need to preserve what was left of Zambian culture jealously.
“The biggest challenge we have is that our cultural values are under serious assault from the West. Culture defines who we are and shouldn’t be left to wane in the manner it’s been happening,” he said.
KCM corporate social responsibility manager, Sampa Chitah, said the mining company was committed to supporting cultural groups, as a way of promoting Zambian culture.
She was happy with the growth of cultural groups that have been sponsored by KCM. “When we started in 2005, we had on only five groups. Now there are 36 of you, which is encouraging,” she said.
The cultural event was also attended by Chingola member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Katema, who was pleased with the efforts to preserve the country’s values through music and other forms of art.
