Mwazindika spiritual dance of the Daida community of Kenya
Inscribed in 2025 (20.COM) on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
The Mwazindika spiritual dance is a traditional practice used to promote individual and communal well-being amongst the Daida community. It combines dance, music, ritual and storytelling, and is performed during important events such as rites of passage, harvests, coronations and times of crisis like droughts or floods. Its purpose is to bring healing, protection and spiritual balance. The practice begins with a preliminary ritual called ‘Kahua’, where twelve elders and youth climb a sacred hill to inform their ancestors of an upcoming Mwazindika event. Drums are made from a sacred tree, and herbs for cleansing are prepared. A traditional beverage made of honey and sugarcane is offered as libation to the ancestors.
The dance features rhythmic drumming, singing and movements that can lead participants into trance states, often used to express or reveal their condition. The dance is primarily performed by women, while men lead the drumming and rituals. The related knowledge and skills are transmitted informally through family and community teaching, regular performances and festivals. The element is believed to promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being. It is also regarded as a means of strengthening social solidarity and warding off disasters and misfortune.
