A group of Zambezi dancers, known as ‘Spinny and Green Kids’, is taking the nation by storm with their unique and energetic dance style.
Known for their signature ‘Spinny Dance’, a traditional waist-twisting movement rooted in the Sikokoshi dance, the group is not only entertaining but also preserving their cultural heritage.
Originating from the Zambezi region, the Spinny dance also known as ‘Kucola Manoka’ or ‘Nikuzimbulusa Manoka’, is a vibrant and expressive form of dance that involves fluid hip movements and rhythmic footwork.
The Spinny and Green Kids have masterfully adapted this traditional dance style to suit the modern generation, infusing it with their flair and creativity.
Beyond their impressive dance skills, the group has also made strides in promoting cultural awareness. They recently added the Sipelu cultural group to their portfolio, further expanding their repertoire and showcasing the rich diversity of Namibian traditions.
Sylvester Simubali, the manager of the Spinny and Green Kids, told VIBEZ! that the reason they formed another Sipelu group is to make sure they preserve the culture so it does not fade away.
“Spinny and Green Kids have improved and incorporated Sipelu dance, we have a new group called Sipelu, a traditional dance played by the elders where they wear Misisiattire, we now have two groups in one. Spinny and Green Kids and Spinny Sipelu group,” he said.
He further said, Spinny and Green Kids has tremendously improved the lives of young people, in terms of entertainment because most of the dancers are young people from the region.
“They educate them about the traditional waist dance, so they do not forget about their culture or where they come from,” he divulged.
Spinny and Green Kids was formed in 2009 by Kasuka Lifasi, he was walking around in his village in Kasheshe when he met children playing traditional games spinning a coin head and tail, upon seeing that, he decided to form a band called ‘Spinny and the Green Kids’.
“In the future, we want to penetrate the international market and explore so that we learn from each other’s cultures, next month we will have a show in Botswana in Kasani and Mavele, to showcase and promote our music outside the country.
We have started performing at the Swapo rallies within the Zambezi region. We are fully geared to perform outside the region. In October, we will have a show in Windhoek and Oshakati and beyond, it depends on who hires us,” he said.