HARARE A Nyau dance festival, which will feature various traditional Gule Wa Mukulu dance troupes from across the southern African region, is scheduled to take place from December 4 to 6 in Harare. (Pictured: A festival of Nyau Dancers is scheduled for December 4 to 6.)
Kennedy Kabhiruka, who is organising the fest, said the inaugural show would create an opportunity for the Zimbabwean public and the visiting dance troupes to interact and exchange cultural values.
Kabhiruka said there was still a dispute over the venue, with the Ministry of Information insisting that the festival be held at a venue along Bulawayo Road near Norton, but organisers suggesting that it be held in Harare for ease of access.
The Nyau dance is synonymous with the Chewa-speaking people of Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.
The Nyau is a secret society whose membership has usually been open only to Chewa. It forms an integral part of the structure and life of the tribe as all Chewa cosmology is explained in the Gule Wa Mukulu.
Annually, boys to be initiated into Nyau go to the Liunde, which is organised by the Namkungwi or Mukulu Wa Gule. Here the initiates go through informal schooling in all aspects of village life.
Though performances have become common during celebrations or entertainment functions, a ritual performance of Gule Wa Mukulu is done upon death of an older member of the group.
At such a funeral, various masks representing death, life and happiness are used in the performance.
A graduate from Gule Wa Mukulu is an adult and so will be respected in the village. He has his own mask and will enjoy the privileges of adult life.
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