The rise of Chilinde Dance Troupe

With power interruption at the official launch of the Youth Parliament on Wednesday, August 22, Chilinde Dance Troupe was the only group to perform at the launch.

The group, which uses equipment that requires electric power, comprises six girls and six boys from Chilinde Primary School in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.

The dance troupe also performed at the Women of Distinctions Awards Gala at the New State House last year.

In 2010, they performed at three international festivals and Children’s Arts festival for the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region, which was held in the country.

According to Young Chilanga, artistic director of the group, it was the initiative of the Malawi Government to form the dancing troupe to enhance the culture of Malawi.

“The group started in 2010 when government through the Department of Arts and Craft chose a primary school where I can teach the dancing sessions. We have performed at several wedding events to preserve culture in Malawi,” said Chilanga.

Dancing forms part of extra-curricular activities for pupils aged between eight and 14.

The group usually performs a mixture of cultural and contemporary dances.