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Zimbarts

Siyaya Arts Company

© Siyaya Arts
Genre : Theatre company
Principal country concerned : Column : Music, Theater, Dance

Internationally travelled and renowned group based in Makokoba. The group received the MTN: UK (Musical Theatre Matters) 2010 Awards, Judges' Discretionary Award, at the Edinburgh Festival for the Zambezi Express award. The theatre dance group is specialised in dance, theatre and also implements the Ibumba International Festival.

"Firmly rooted in Makokoba, Bulawayo's oldest township, Siyaya Arts was started in 1989 as NASA (Nostalgic Actors & Singers Alliance). We rechristened ourselves Siyaya (On the Move) during our 10th anniversary; a literal description of our journeys all over the world, as well as of an identity, an ethos and a heartfelt belief, the name could not be more apt. The ‘nostalgia' Siyaya was founded upon refers to the powerful reinterpretation of traditional tales, music and dance, which is often brought to life by relating them to their modern derivatives. Touring throughout Europe, Africa and directed by Saimon Mambazo Phiri, Siyaya has gained a good reputation particularly for imaginative manipulation and use of social issues in our music. In 2006 Siyaya opened WOMAD Reading to good reviews and took the show Thatha to Edinburgh earning 5 star reviews from Metro & Independent. In 2005 we shared the stage with some respected world music artists at Live 8 Africa Calling concert at the Eden Project organised by WOMAD. We have just returned from Glastonbury Festival 2008 where we made our record 6th appearance further cementing our place in the world arts circuit." - Siyaya Arts

Partners

  • Arterial network
  • Zimbabwe : Culture Fund Of Zimbabwe Trust

With the support of