The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture has introduced a programme aimed at empowering traditional dances which are one of Malawi’s unique features, culture as a product of value in the tourism sector.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture, Dr. Michael Usi said it is important that traditional dances and dancers be promoted to boost them and add value to Malawi’s tourism.
“This government is people oriented and people centered so we want to empower the general population by supporting those that preserve our culture through various dances.
“We are going to constituencies and empowering the traditional dances, when we get to an area we watch their traditional dances and then pick the ones we think are attractive and can be used to attract tourists,” he said.
The Minister added that they give the best performers some money as motivation and is embarking on making sure that the dancers be hired and paid in the same way that other musicians, dancers and music bands are paid to perform at events.
“When we invite well known bands , we negotiate with them how much they will be paid while the traditional dances do not really benefit from their talent, the dancers wre also worthy good packages,” Usi said
Recently, Deputy Director of Arts in the Department of Arts in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture McDonald Maluwaya, who has published a book on traditional dances called on all people to value and appreciate traditional dances of Malawi.
“Traditional dances help to woe tourists who come to learn and understand the countries culture. We are rolling out the said initiative to reach out to all 193 constituencies where we will host traditional dance sessions and sensitize communities on the importance of preserving their culture,” he said.
He added that the ministry wants to see communities being able to generate income through arts and culture and at the same time be proud of their culture.
Commenting on the same, a traditional dancer for Mpalale Dance Troop from Senior Chief Kaphuka, Zione Banda hailed the ministry for the initiative that will not only motivate them as a group but also empower them to start small businesses to support their families.
“I am grateful that the government through this ministry has decided to recognise our talents and skills and wish to help us benefit from them,
We have been dancing for so long but never witnessed such development, we hope that this will not end here but should continue to benefit us all,” she said.
