Harare — THE Miss Rural Zimbabwe beauty contest -- which could not be held last year owing to financial constraints -- is back but chiefs insist that bikinis must not be part of the showcase.

The move, the traditional leaders argue, is meant to keep the event purely traditional and not to offend spirit mediums at Great Zimbabwe National Monuments on August 25 where it will be held.

At least 23 models from Matabeleland North and South, Midlands, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, East and Central provinces will take part in the contest.

Everything about the pageant will be purely African, no cars, no bikinis, no Eurocentric mates and chairs, no shoes.

Only traditional food, traditional music and traditional mates.

A bull will be presented to the princess in a kraal and Nemanwa Dance Troupe, a traditional outfit, will provide entertainment.

Guests, according to show organiser Sipho Mazibuko of Strides Modelling Agency, will be required to leave their vehicles at the main entrance from where they will be transported to the venue in ox-drawn carts.

Chiefs in Masvingo, led by President of the Chief's Council Chief Fortune Charumbira say everything should be done in tandem with Shona traditional values.

However, the organisers have decided to move the bikini showcase to the Taste of Africa Restaurant in Harare before the contestants proceed to Masvingo.

"After being told that we could not hold the bikini show at the monuments we decided to do it in Harare at Taste of Africa since its an African restaurant," she said.

A village with Zulu dome hut, Shona mud-and-pole hut, Kalanga hut and a Tonga hut will be constructed and the models will emerge from these huts during the pageant strutting true African beauty.