Discouraged by Nyau, Encouraged by God

Today Grace and I found out that many youth in ‘our’ community and even some  boy’s of our Bible teaching program have been initiated and joined the Nyau (some probably forced). We cry. We are discouraged. We pray and read Gods Word.  Eph. 6 speaks of the struggle  against the rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of this dark world. It commands us to be strong and stand firm, putting on the Armour of God. Also to pray on all occasions with all kinds of requests. Dear friends, please pray with us for the people of the community we reach out to. We feel so discouraged right now, but John 10:10 says: “The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, I (Jesus) have come that they may have life”. We will continue teaching the Bible message: “Repent! Turn away from all your offenses. Get a new heart and a new spirit. I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. REPENT and LIVE!” Ez.18:30-32

The Nyau is a secret association of male dancers among the Chewa tribe. Membership is restricted to initiates. Their identity while dancing is concealed with masks of wood or cloth. Other parts of the body are painted with ashes or mud. When our boy’s Obed and Moses saw them they asked me: “Why do they want to look so scary? Are they people? Why do they want to scare others?” The devil recruits his servants by fear, the Lord calls His servants by love. Whenever you encounter  Nyau you have to show respect by bowing down or running away in fear. Gladly, Grace and I are excused by the headman!

Revelation of Nyau secrets is severy punished. The Nyau are considered wild animals (masks) re-incarnating the spirits of ancestors. Nyau dancers look frightening, they make animal like sounds. They might appear during the day to terrify women and children and to steal chickens. During this season we often get distracted by the Nyau, sometimes kids stay at home, hiding, being scared. Some of our youth’s are hiding because they are afraid to get caught and forced to become Nyau.

The Nyau like to dwell in graveyards where their secret gathering place usually is. Some boys want to be initiated into the Nyau, to know what real men know. Today, even Christian boy’s go the the Nyau to ‘buy their way” (apply and pay the fee to the chief) to ensure their safety. The Nyau gives men stronger sense of identity. While the Chewa have their strong morals reflected in behavior, the Nyau show the opposite behavior of what is valued in the community. They curse, fight, chase and assault women and children, they shout obscene language, steal chickens from the community and commit other offences. Because they are spirits, no juridical action can be taken because by definition spirits are outside the law. The Nyau is the embodiment of tradition & resistance and not open to change. That is why mission work among communities who preserve their traditional culture by means of Nyau sometimes feels like plowing on rocks.  

But we know Who won the victory already! “With God we shall gain the victory and He will trample down our enemies.” Psalm 60:12 “Thanks be to God, He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Cor 15:57-58