The Bulawayo Music Festival: An Important Educational and Musicological Exhibition for Music Enthusiasts

This article sought to explore the intricacies of the Bulawayo Music Festival, its underlying objectives, themes, approaches, significance and history. The Zimbabwean musical practices have always been diverse from region to region as a result of its multi-cultural society which includes nationalities from across the whole African content as well as foreign originating races and tribes from the colonial times. The festival, hosted in the centre of Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland Province, is unique for providing a platform that exposes the native people to exotic music through live performance demonstrations and educational workshops. The performers and audience alike, benefit immensely from these interactions, the former gaining exposure in the entertainment scenes and the latter gaining knowledge of music trends both local and exotic. Despite the outward appearance of fun and festivities that is apparent to the casual observer during the festival, there is actually more to it than meets the eye. It represents resilience of a people besieged by so many woes from so many angles and how they have all managed to thrive and eventually learning to work towards a common cause despite their differences. The Bulawayo Music Festival, just like any other social activity or trend, has evolved somewhat over the past decade however the underlying essence that prompted its inception still remains that it brings different people together through music. The article explores the essentials of the activities and significance associated with the Bulawayo Music festival both at its inception as well as in its progression over the years.