In the course of the dance, men often crouch while jerking both arms and vigorously kicking the ground with the right leg in imitation of a burrowing mole.
Instead, the music is performed by one master drummer. Unlike most dances, Jerusarema does not rely on intricate foot stamping or many drummers. Jerusarema is characterized by a single polyrhythmic drum sound accompanied by woodblock clapper sounds, handclapping, yodeling and blowing whistles. Because of its sexual movements, the dance was originally performed exclusively during the marriage ceremony of a chief's daughter but it is now open to all men and women. It is practiced by the Zezuru Shona-people living in the Murehwa and Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe (UMP) districts in eastern Zimbabwe. Jerusarema, also known as Mbende, is perhaps the most celebrated dance of the Shona people. Jerusarema dance, Shangara, Dinhe, Mbakumba, Mbira dance and Mhande are popular dances among the Shona people who constitute about 76% of the Zimbabwean population. Most of the costumes are made from natural materials such as grass and animal skin. Another important aspect of traditional dance is the clothing. It is plucked with the fingers to produce the melody, and is often used during religious rituals by spirit mediums in order to communicate with ancestral spirits. The mbira is perhaps the most widely used instrument in traditional Zimbabwean music. The most common musical instruments used in the dances are mbira, hosho (rattle), ngoma (drum), magavhu (leg rattle) and the human voice. Like most African dances, Zimbabwean dances employ polyrhythm, which is usually complemented by body articulation. Rhythm is an important aspect of Zimbabwean traditional dances. This is common especially for religious dances such as the Mbira dance. In natural settings, dances usually take very long hours, up to twelve hours or even days. Even ritual dances often have a time when spectators participate. With the exception of a few spiritual, religious or initiation dances, there are traditionally no barriers between dancers and onlookers. Zimbabwe’s traditional dances are mostly participatory, and often invite spectators to be part of the performance. Traditional dance is also taught in most primary and secondary schools across the country.
The Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA) and other cultural institutions organize various events that celebrate the country’s traditional dances, including the Jerusarema Dance Festival, the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival and the Murewa-Uzumba Cultural Festival (Mucuf).
They are also used to teach social values, recite history, encourage people to work, aid in funeral proceedings, celebrate festivals, praise or criticize members of the community and more importantly, help communities connect with the ancestors. Zimbabwean dances are performed for three main purposes religious, social and ceremonial. Although the traditional purposes of the dances tend to change over time, their meaning and significance is often preserved. Zimbabwean dances are communal and largely performed in the rural areas, where about 75% of Zimbabwe’s population lives.
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