The Ngweze Community Hall will be filled with energy and excitement tonight as 20 talented dancers compete in the Sikokoshi Cultural Dance Competition. The event, which was on break for a while, is back and expected to be better this time.
Sikokoshi, a dance traditionally performed to the rhythmic sounds of Rumba music, is known for its emphasis on waist movements and the involved ‘chikazike cikokoshi’ footwork. Once performed during community gatherings like sipangawodi in the vernacular, Sikokoshi is a crucial part of the region’s cultural heritage, but has been slowly fading in recent years, overtaken by modern trends like Amapiano.
Organised by Intwiza Events Trading businessman Sylvester Simubali, who has been steering the Sikokoshi revolution in the Zambezi by hosting a number of dance competitions to turn back the hands of time for its many lovers in Katima Mulilo, said he is determined to keep the dance relevant among the Zambezi people.
He said the dance competition is a step towards revitalising the tradition and reclaiming a vital aspect of local culture.
“The younger generation is more familiar with social media trends like TikTok, and Sikokoshi was being forgotten. That’s why I decided to bring it back, and give our youth the chance to showcase their talents,” he enthused.
The competition features 10 male and 10 female dancers, all vying for the top three spots in their respective categories.
“The contestants are full of energy and ready to deliver an unforgettable performance,” he added.
The winners in each category will receive N$2 000, second-place N$1 000 and third-place N$500. In addition to the cash prizes, winners will be showered with traditional gifts, including a bunny pet ‘ka shakame’ in Subia.
The event’s history dates back to 2017 when Simubali first introduced the Sikokoshi competition in Windhoek while managing Club Chez Ntemba. “At that time, I brought dancers from Katima Mulilo to Windhoek to showcase their cultural dance to the people in the city who were far from home. Now, I’m back in the Zambezi Region to revive Sikokoshi right where it started,” he stated.
Attendees can expect an electrifying, high-energy night filled with traditional dance, cultural pride and young talent.
Sikokoshi remains part of the tradition in the Zambezi region, and it is unfortunate that the young and born-frees are forgetting the culture because of the advent of the internet, as well as exposure to other cultures. In fact, most of the young people from Zambezi are forgetting their culture and adapting to Western culture.