This dormitory city has become a hub for the gure groups, with large crowds at public places such as municipal beer halls and bottle stores being thrilled by the mystic dancers dressed in rags.
“It’s quite exciting because it is the only entertaining activity on a Sunday. At times, electricity will be gone so we will be just killing time,” said Tatenda Masayiti, a Unit L resident. Some residents believe the dancers, whose routines are said to originate in Malawi, are linked to voodoo. “We have heard a lot of rumours that these people are linked to satanic deeds so we are gathered here to get the true version of them,” said a curious resident.
But the groups dominate traditional dance competitions, proving that they are now an integral part of popular culture. Other groups in Mufakose are now recruiting members who are willing to join the group.
Their dances and practices are a closely guarded secret. Many myths surround the Nyau groups, among them that they dabble in black magic and are capable of bringing curses on those who anger them.
“People have certain beliefs against us which I can confirm are not true. We don’t socialise with dead people as people claim,” said Victor Chonzi, a Nyau.
One of the myths is that during the Nyau dancing ceremony, pregnant women should not be present, or their pregnancies will mysteriously vanish. Others claim that if one out-sprints a Nyau dancer, he should never fall down or get hurt, or the wound will never heal. Some have also alleged that nyau dancers use dangerous traditional charms including soil collected from the grave yard for witchcraft-related purposes.
Post published in: Arts