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Chewa folklore

A sacred lion masked figure appearing during a Nyau ceremony in Zambia

The Lion Mask of the Nyau Society

Across parts of eastern Zambia, the Chewa people preserved powerful ceremonial traditions connected to the Nyau society, a respected spiritual and cultural institution known for masked performances, ancestral teachings, and community rituals passed through generations. To outsiders, Nyau ceremonies often appeared mysterious. Masked dancers emerged suddenly from forests wearing elaborate costumes representing animals, spirits, ancestors, and moral figures connected to

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