Gulewamkulu

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Gulewamkulu

Gulewamkulu dancing mask won by Nyaus from Malawi
Etymology	Healing dance
Genre	Traditional
Instrument(s)	clapping drums bongos shakers congas agogo triangles
Inventor	The Chewa people (ethnic group)
Year	1700
Origin	Malawi, Zambia

The Gulewamkulu Traditional Dance is a traditional dance performed by the Chewa people of Malawi, and Zambia.^[1][2] Its history dates back to the 17th century, when it was performed by the Nyau societies, secret fraternal organizations that played a significant role in the social and political lives of the Chewa people. The Chewa ancestors started the dance to talk to the dead's souls, their predecessors and gods.

The dance was for honoring the spirits and satisfying them so that they could protect and guide those performing the dance as they asked for blessings from them. It served as a way for Chewa people to show their cultural principles, faith as well as traditional practices which include their bond with environment plus things beyond human understanding.^[3][4][5]

With elaborate costumes, masks and energetic movements, The Gulewamkulu dance is symbolized by life's struggles and victories. Men are amongst the performers of this dance adorning themselves with complex animal and ancestral masks and costumes. The dancers usually move in rhythmic patterns with drumming and singing thus creating a kind of spiritual communion between them.^[6]