Partying, the Zimbabwean way

The local word for party is dhindhindi. Funny word, you might think, but it actually has a very good reason for becoming part of Zimbabwean vocabulary. If you actually say it out loud, it has a similar sound to music, in particular, the opening beats to Ice, ice, baby. Get it?

No? Well, neither did I until the dhindhindi that was held last night to celebrate the team's victory over Bangladesh. A function room in the Rainbow Towers' hotel (previously the Sheraton) was booked for the bash and I expected a somewhat snooty affair, with martini glasses clinking and finger food.

The food was certainly meant to be eaten with fingers, but it was not the same as the kind you will get in the Sandton Towers. There was no delicate salmon or parma ham, the type of that is found at parties hosted by many cricket boards, particularly the ones I am most often at, in South Africa.

Instead, a selection of fried snacks - samosas, springrolls, spicy chicken and crumbed chicken - were laid out on the main table. To the right of it was a stand where roast beef with mustard was being carved. Just in front of that, a dessert platter including mini-cakes and a fruit salad. Kepler Wessels, who is known for his dedication to fitness and healthy living, was seen tucking into some of the trifle. All told, it was nothing too fancy, but simplicity has been Zimbabwe's defining trait all through this trip.

The players milled about, chatting about this and that. Ray Price told us about his third child, Daniel, who was born a little over two-months ago. He explained that the left-foot, right-foot jig he and Chris Mpofu pull out whenever a wicket is taken was conceptualised during the World Cup when they opened the bowling together and "became really good friends". Grant Flower showed us his bent fingers, one of which has been broken 14 times from being hit with a cricket ball, and allowed us to compare our straight fingers to his. Hamilton Masakadza reminisced about the Free State, where he studied his marketing degree, and said he would never have been able to live in Johannesburg or Cape Town for that long because "I'd get lost in such a big place".

Until then, there had been no dhindhindi.

Then, the stadium announcer arrived at the podium and gave a small speech about Heroes' Day, which Zimbabwe celebrated yesterday in commemoration of those who fought the liberation war. He said the national cricket team made the country very proud with their heroic performance and saluted their efforts. Then, the lights dimmed, the music started and it was time to dhindhindi.

Brendan Taylor's girlfriend, Kelly Reading, who is the queen bee of the Zimbabwean WAGS, got the party started when she led national coach Alan Butcher onto the dance floor. Butcher's moves were not too shabby, although he battled to keep up with Kelly, who seems to have had some practice doing this before. Brendan is not a big dancer, and hung around on the periphery of the floor, blushing every time one of his team-mates did something comical.

And there was plenty to blush about. Keegan Meth, nicknamed Crystal, for his eccentric behaviour was the highlight on the floor, breaking down moves that could qualify him for role as acrobat in a circus. Together with Mpofu they dominated the dancing, but there were a few unlikely characters with them. Heath Streak was in full swing, Craig Ervine joined in and Elton Chigumbura got down as well. It was the heartiest party I had ever attended, with everyone indulging in nothing but wholesome fun.

The drinks flowed, with countless offers from the waitress of "one more, for the road". Evidently, she thought it was a long one. Somewhere in between the fourth and tenth last round, Stuart Law entered the room, politely asking if it was okay to join in. He had also, clearly, never experienced a dhindhindi before. But, like most of the people who were there, he would have woken up with a sore head as a result of it this morning.