Nyau ( meaning mask or initiation) is a secret society of the Chewa, an ethnic group of the Bantu peoples from Central and Southern Africa. The word Nyau is not only used for the society itself, but also for the indigenous religious beliefs or cosmology of people who form this society, the ritual dance performances, and the masks used for the dances.
Nyau societies operate at the village level, but are part of a wide network of Nyau across the central and part of the southern regions of Malawi, eastern Zambia, western Mozambique and areas where Malawians migrated in Rhodesia.
During performances with the masks women and children often rush into the houses when a Nyau performer threatens, as the masks are worn by only male members of the society and represent male knowledge. At that moment in the performance and rituals, Nyau masked dancers are understood to be spirits of the dead.
Stamps & Postal Products
1964 Independence First Definitive Issue – 2d Chinyau Dancer
Postcards
1968 – SAPRA Studio (RZ Series/Type 1) No.1-49
1968 – SAPRA Studio (RZ Series/Type 1) No.50-99
