Malawi is a country in the southern region of Africa. It is widely known for the wonderful Lake Malawi, several tourist attractions, and very friendly people. There is a tribe in the northern region of the country named the Tumbuka. It is the smallest by population, and despite that, it is widely known for having a large portion of its people educated. There are many distinct elements of the culture, such as the Vimbuza dance which is known for its ability to cure mental illnesses. This dance has roots in the mid-nineteenth century when it developed as a way of overcoming oppression. It further developed into a healing dance during the British occupation, although it was forbidden by Christian missionaries. When people became possessed by Vimbuza spirits, they could express their mental problems in a way that was understood by the surrounding society. This is an important manifestation of the Ng'oma, a healing tradition spread throughout Bantu-speaking Africa. Ng'oma, which means “drums of affliction”, has a long history and continues to be a fundamental part of indigenous healthcare systems throughout Africa. Despite several attempts to suppress it, it remains a fundamental part of indigenous health.
A person who underwent this purification is said to have been possessed by the Vimbuza spirits or demonic spirits. Some healers believe that a person is born with these spirits, but the spirit becomes significant when a Nyanga or witchcraft power has attacked them. This Nyanga is known as a death-causing witchcraft power, as it sometimes claims the life of the victim. The Vimbuza will activate to fight off the Nyanga, which can lead to one falling seriously ill. Vimbuza symptoms include hallucinations, bad dreams, and migraines which are not resolved by using hospital medications. When someone falls ill, they are taken to a healer, usually a person who has also suffered from Vimbuza and recovered from it.
After undergoing a diagnosis, patients are treated for some weeks or months by renowned healers who run a Temphiri, a village house. Once they are diagnosed, they undergo a ritual in which women, children, and healers form a circle around the patient, who slowly enters into a trance and sings songs to aid spirits in their healing work. The only men taking part in the ritual are those who beat the drum rhythms for the spirits, and sometimes, there is a male healer. During Vimbuza, singing and drumming combine to create a powerful experience, creating a space for patients to "dance their disease". With an ever-growing repertoire of songs and complex drumming, as well as virtuosity in dancing, these aspects of the culture are part of the rich tradition of the Tumbuka people. Vimbuza provides artistic value in addition to a therapeutic function that can complement other forms of medical treatment. In rural areas where the Tumbuku lives, Vimbuza continues to be practiced, however, it is still subject to persecution by Christian churches and modern medicine.
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