Technical error caused Nyau dancer to crash-land at the Kulamba Traditional ceremony in Zambia, says Chief (Watch Video)

THE painful and unexpected crash landing of the high-flying Nyau dancer at the Kulamba Traditional ceremony in Katete on Saturday was due to a technical error, Chief Chanje has explained.

During the widely publicized Kulamba Traditional ceremony of the Chewa people, a nyau dancer who many believed was relying on dark powers to balance on a standing lean stick measuring close to 10 meters high came crashing down to the dusty arena of the ceremony.

On impact, the masquerade’s mask forcibly divorced itself from his face and the song in his mouth was quickly replaced by loud wails of pain and anguish giving chance for sand to fill his mouth.

However, the Nyau dancer’s comrades rushed to the aid of their fallen hero, surrounded him, covered his face and airlifted him off the crash site to a more secluded place where he could cry freely.

The accident well captured on camera caused not only alarm but worry amongst guests who included President Hakainde Hichilema and his Malawi counterpart Dr Lazarus Chakwera.

But to allay fears, Chief Chanje, Secretary of Cultural Committee in Mkaika Katete says

the Nyau dancer survived the fall with no injuries.

“Fake rumours are being put on social media,TV ,Radios and different platforms sayings that he was badly injured,he broke the bones,he died,he is in Hospital NO,” the chief stated in a statement.

“Take it from us,because we are the ones who are looking after Gulewamkulu during Kulamba ceremony,” he added.

“Our technician who was in charge at that time in our control room, was abit busy with other things in the same room and that’s why Gologolo fell down but everything is fine but Let’s All remember that Gulewamkulu is the master piece of all the dances in the world awarded by UNESCO”.

Kalemba