Music and dance are universal and emotional forms of communication. Zimbabwean traditional dance plays an important role in society. Community is the key to Shona and Ndebele culture and their music reflects this fact. My limited experience with Zimbabwean dance supports his contentions. All the dances I learned have a strong theme of community behind them and would not make sense if performed alone.
Dance forms an important channel for individual expression while strengthening the community.
Improvisation creates an outlet for individualism, while the dance as a whole brings these individuals together. People can dance for themselves and for the greater good of the community, in the case of religious dances. Dancing can help define a group identity, reinforce ties to the ancestors, and remind one of his or her heritage. Dance continues to play an important role in Zimbabwe today but many external forces have eroded its foundations. A youth walking down the street in Harare will have an encyclopaedic knowledge of American rap, yet have no idea what the Mbakumba dance requires.