Among the Chewa people of Africa,there is a secret society known as Nyau. Most commonly, you can find the Chewa people in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.
The Nyau fraternity are well-known for their “Gule Wamkulu” (the “Great Dance”) of masquerades. On special occasions like festivals, celebrations, and burials, these groups within the Chewa ethnicity dance the night away.They do this in mask and customes mostly made of of Banana leaves,straws or wood.
They are thought to be controlled by the “nyama” (spirits of the animals mask they wear ) and “mizimu” spirits of the mask (of the ancestors).These customes and masks comes in different types and forms mostly denoting ranks or power.Their dance performances also covey messages of spiritual,moral and societal importance to observers as well.
This spiritual sociery members are very secretive to the extent that no one in a family will ever know that a Nyau is a brother, spouse, or father because they keep everything secret from non-initiated people.They are sometimes also feared by the local authorities,community members and even police because of their spiritual abilities.
Picture Credit:Vlad Shokin
The Black Tower 