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GV: dancers in Lusaka, Zambia, in routine praising President Kounde of Zambia.
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2.
GV:Audience
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SV:Dancers
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4.
SV: dancer from other group
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5.
SV: another dancer
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CV: audience
1.15

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SV: another dancer
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GV: dancers with big head dress
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Initials RH/JR/AH/1805



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Throughout Africa, traditional dance groups are practising for the second World Black Festival of Arts and Culture which is being held in Nigeria next year.

SYNOPSIS: In the Zambian capital, Lusaka, finalists recently competed at the Evelyn Home College for selection to represent Zambia at the Festival. This groups was praising Zambian leader, President Kenneth Kaunda.

The dancers were form two national groups - one based in Lusaka, and the other at Victoria Falls. Both are run by the Department of Culture.

The traditional dances they presented came from most areas of Zambia and portrayed many aspects of rural life, including marriage and initiation ceremonies, harvest dances, and others just for sheer entertainment.

Recently the Zambian Administration's Chairman of the Social and Cultural sub-Committee, Mr Solomon Kalulu, told the Livingstone and Lusaka groups that some training groups were not performing the traditional dances correctly.

Mr Kalulu said there were very few experts in traditional dances, and called upon the groups to make full use of them to preserve them before it was too late.

The dancers who will compete in Nigeria next year will be chosen from the final team to represent Zambia.