Feared Ritual Dancers in Zimbabwe Try to Change Public Image
2022-11-25
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1Gule Wamkulu is a dance performed by unidentified men in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.
2The group performs the dance at ceremonies to mark adulthood among other important life events.
3They wear complex masks, makeup and traditional clothing.
4The dance is seen as a way to connect with spirits of the dead.
5However, the group today is increasingly opening up to the public.
6Gule Wamkulu is rooted in the Chewa people of southern Africa.
7Followers spread the dance to Zimbabwe in the early 1900s.
8It is hard to estimate how many Gule Wamkulu performers there are.
9The dancers belong to small, loosely connected groups.
10Gule Wamkulu was considered evil by Christian colonizers who attempted to ban the tradition.
11Notice Mazura organized a dance in an area of Zimbabwe's capital city called Mufakose.
12A group of people, including young children, came to get a closer look at the dance.
13In the past, "even the adults would prefer to watch our dances from a distance.
14People were scared of us," said Mazura.
15In 2008, UNESCO included Gule Wamkulu on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
16It is a list of arts, ceremonies, and traditions found around the world that are passed from one generation to the next.
17The United Nations agency describes Gule Wamkulu as a "secret society of initiated men" involved in a "ritual dance" dating to the 17th century.
18Over the years, some reports came out that damaged the image of Gule Wamkulu.
19There was a story about a young man who died during a ceremony.
20Another report said a man was severely attacked for breaking group rules.
21Gule Wamkulu in Zimbabwe is also threatened by people who falsely claim to be members of the group.
22These people carry out performances and falsely identify for criminal purposes.
23They are called copycats.
24Sometimes, these copycat groups are violent.
25The problem is one of the main reasons for the public image campaign.
26Kennedy Kachuruka is the leader of the Zimbabwe Gule Wamkulu Organization.
27"We want people to respect us and not fear us," he said."
28We don't want to push them away, but we want to charm them.
29That is the only way they can appreciate who we really are."
30Kachuruka is also president of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association.
31He described Gule Wamkulu as "a ceremonial dance to connect with the dead."
32The dances are traditionally performed at funerals, weddings, and other events involving members.
33But the group has been doing more public performances in recent years, including performing with popular musicians.
34Members hope that the more people learn about the real Gule Wamkulu, the more easily they will recognize the copiers.
35Still, long-held views are difficult to change.
36"These people are evil," said George Dezha of Mufakose.
37He added, "They move around with weapons and are violent criminals."
38There is still much mystery surrounding Gule Wamkulu.
39The identity of those who wear face coverings is kept secret.
40The religious centers where they prepare for performance is closed to non-members.
41And becoming a member involves secret activities.
42Kachuruka said they are trying to keep the rituals left to them by their fathers.
43And added the most important part is their secrets.
44"Without them we are nothing," he said.
45And he added, "It's not just a dance, it's a way of life. It's a culture and a religion."
46Phineas Magwait is an expert on music and culture at the Midlands State University in Zimbabwe.
47He said the main reason for copiers is financial.
48Unsuspecting people pay for dances from unofficial performers.
49He called the public outreach campaign "a turning point" for Gule Wamkulu that would help outsiders understand it as a cultural activity.
50I'm Gregory Stachel.
1Gule Wamkulu is a dance performed by unidentified men in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. The group performs the dance at ceremonies to mark adulthood among other important life events. They wear complex masks, makeup and traditional clothing. The dance is seen as a way to connect with spirits of the dead. 2However, the group today is increasingly opening up to the public. 3Gule Wamkulu is rooted in the Chewa people of southern Africa. Followers spread the dance to Zimbabwe in the early 1900s. 4It is hard to estimate how many Gule Wamkulu performers there are. The dancers belong to small, loosely connected groups. Gule Wamkulu was considered evil by Christian colonizers who attempted to ban the tradition. 5Notice Mazura organized a dance in an area of Zimbabwe's capital city called Mufakose. A group of people, including young children, came to get a closer look at the dance. 6In the past, "even the adults would prefer to watch our dances from a distance. People were scared of us," said Mazura. 7In 2008, UNESCO included Gule Wamkulu on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is a list of arts, ceremonies, and traditions found around the world that are passed from one generation to the next. The United Nations agency describes Gule Wamkulu as a "secret society of initiated men" involved in a "ritual dance" dating to the 17th century. 8Over the years, some reports came out that damaged the image of Gule Wamkulu. There was a story about a young man who died during a ceremony. Another report said a man was severely attacked for breaking group rules. 9Gule Wamkulu in Zimbabwe is also threatened by people who falsely claim to be members of the group. These people carry out performances and falsely identify for criminal purposes. They are called copycats. Sometimes, these copycat groups are violent. 10The problem is one of the main reasons for the public image campaign. 11Kennedy Kachuruka is the leader of the Zimbabwe Gule Wamkulu Organization. "We want people to respect us and not fear us," he said." We don't want to push them away, but we want to charm them. That is the only way they can appreciate who we really are." 12Kachuruka is also president of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association. He described Gule Wamkulu as "a ceremonial dance to connect with the dead." 13The dances are traditionally performed at funerals, weddings, and other events involving members. But the group has been doing more public performances in recent years, including performing with popular musicians. 14Members hope that the more people learn about the real Gule Wamkulu, the more easily they will recognize the copiers. 15Still, long-held views are difficult to change. 16"These people are evil," said George Dezha of Mufakose. He added, "They move around with weapons and are violent criminals." 17There is still much mystery surrounding Gule Wamkulu. The identity of those who wear face coverings is kept secret. The religious centers where they prepare for performance is closed to non-members. And becoming a member involves secret activities. 18Kachuruka said they are trying to keep the rituals left to them by their fathers. And added the most important part is their secrets. "Without them we are nothing," he said. And he added, "It's not just a dance, it's a way of life. It's a culture and a religion." 19Phineas Magwait is an expert on music and culture at the Midlands State University in Zimbabwe. He said the main reason for copiers is financial. Unsuspecting people pay for dances from unofficial performers. 20He called the public outreach campaign "a turning point" for Gule Wamkulu that would help outsiders understand it as a cultural activity. 21I'm Gregory Stachel. 22Farai Mutsaka reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. 23_____________________________________________________________ 24Words in This Story 25mask - n. a covering used to hide or disguise your face 26makeup - n. materials (such as wigs or cosmetics) that are used to change the appearance of an actor 27prefer - v. to like (someone or something) better than someone or something else 28scared - adj. afraid of something 29society - n. people in general thought of as living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values 30initiate - v. to formally accept (someone) as a member of a group or organization usually in a special ceremony 31charm - v. to attract (someone) by being beautiful or welcoming 32appreciate - v. to understand the worth or importance of (something or someone) 33_____________________________________________________________ 34What do you think of this traditional dance? 35We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 36Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.