Mwinoghe is a famous traditional instrumental dance performed in northern Malawi. This dance represents the happiness and joy in the Chisukwa dialect.
The Mwinoghe is derived from a dance called Indingala from the neighboring Karonga district. Mwinoghe is performed by the Sukwa, Ndali, and Bandya ethnic communities. Performed at social gatherings for entertainment purposes, including on national holidays, this instrument dance is very popular with people in the Chitipa District in the Northern Region of Malawi.
It is also derived from Karonga District's ceremonial dance, called Indingala, originally performed by men with fly-whisks during ritual feasts over dead marauding lions or on the enthralment of the chief.
The Mwinoghe dance is a relatively fairly new dance, Mwinoghe was modified from Indingala in the period between 1953 to 1955. In its original form, Mwinoghe was performed to entertain distinguished visitors to schools and during inter-school competitions of traditional dances. It is also performed on international days, like the annual Independence Anniversary celebrations. Since attaining independence, Mwinoghe has developed into its present form and has become popular.
Ing'ina, the main percussion instrument used in the dance, has been developed to the present form. Two smaller drums, Twana and Ing'ina, have also been used in the dance. The dancers line up in two straight lines, on one side, and an equal number of boys and girls on the other, facing each other. Mwinoghe, therefore, is a dance of celebration with the girls standing and holding their hands up while the boys squat down and twist their bodies to the rhythm of the instruments.
Generally, girl dancers wear a piece of cloth tied around their waist, reaching down to their ankles and wearing a blouse with a color, preferably orange or yellow. Boys wear short-sleeved shirts and short trousers, with a piece of cloth tied around their waist as well. They dance barefoot.
Mwinoghe is performed for entertainment purposes only or on a national holiday. On such occasions, other traditional dances can also be organized to celebrate the different cultures of people.
During performances, young people can observe and take part, and related skills are transmitted, but also incorporate into primary, secondary, and tertiary-level curricula. Today each community has its own dance group, which participates in annual festivals and other occasions. However, Mwinoghe is prominently featured in all annual independence celebrations.
Mwinoghe is a famous traditional instrumental dance that performed in northern Malawi. This dance represents the happiness and joy in the Chisukwa dialect. The Mwinoghe is derived from a dance called Indingala from the neighboring Karonga district. Mwinoghe is performed by the Sukwa, Ndali, and Bandya ethnic communities.
Mwinoghe dance is performed at social gatherings for entertainment purposes, including on national holidays. This instrument dance is very popular with people in Chitipa District in Northern Region of Malawi. It is also derived from Karonga District's ceremonial dance, called Indingala, originally performed by men with fly-whisks during ritual feasts over dead marauding lions or on the enthralment of the chief.
The Mwinoghe dance is relatively fairly new dance, Mwinoghe was modified from Indingala in the period between 1953 to 1955. In its original form, Mwinoghe was performed to entertain distinguished visitors to schools and during inter-school competitions of traditional dances. It is also performed on international days, like the annual Independence Anniversary celebrations. Since attaining independence, Mwinoghe has been developed into its present form and has become popular. Ing'ina, the main percussion instrument used in the dance, has been developed to the present form. Two smaller drums, Twana and Ing'ina, have also been used in the dance. The dancers line up in two straight lines, on one side, and an equal number of boys and girls on the other, facing each other. Mwinoghe, therefore, is a dance of celebration with the girls standing and holding their hands up while the boys squat down and twist their bodies to the rhythm of the instruments. Generally, girl dancers wear a piece of cloth tied around their waist, reaching down to their ankles and wearing a blouse with a color, preferably orange or yellow. Boys wear short sleeved shirts and short trousers, with a piece of cloth tied around their waist as well. They dance barefoot. Mwinoghe is performed for entertainment purposes only or on a national holiday. On such occasions, other traditional dances can also be organized to celebrate the different cultures of people.
During performances, young people can observe and take part, and related skills are transmitted, but also incorporate into primary, secondary, and tertiary-level curricula. Today each community has its own dance group, which participates in annual festivals and other occasions. However, Mwinoghe is prominently featured in all annual independence celebrations.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/mwinoghe-joyous-dance-01293) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiAfrica/Incubator/Stubs/Dance_in_Malawi) |Subject=dance, Music |Country=Malawi |SDG=(11) Sustainable Cities and Communities }}