Why Gule wa Mkulu isn’t revered anymore

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If you've ever lived in Liwaladzi, the name Gochi must sound familiar. On the market day, usually Sunday, Gochi village, just 10 minutes away from Kautaka, was a beehive of activity. 

People as far as Chizewo, Walemera, Chambwande, Kabiza, Nkhono, and even some from Dwangwa, thronged the village  to watch Gule wa Mkulu.

It was fun to watch the “spirits”, as referred to by the members of the cult.

Of course, there were other Gule wa Mkulu villages such as Chilasa and Deko at Chizewo, but what made Gochi popular was that its spirits were skillful at their craft.

Also, Gochi had different kinds of spirits such as "Maria", who mesmerized the onlookers with her feminine mannerisms. Ndege (the airplane), makanja and ng'ona (crocodile) hooked people as well. 

No wonder, on Sundays or during the chief's coronation where Gochi was invited, multitudes patronized the dance event. 

                                                          Gule wa Mkulu is respected among the Chewa people.

People respected Gule wa Mkulu and nobody spoke ill about the spirits, if you were loitering around Liwaladzi. On market days at Kautaka, it's alleged that elders of Gochi Gule wa Mkulu cult camouflaged themselves in the crowds just to spy on who was talking dirty about them. 

Similarly, at Chilasa and Deko villages, it was hard to get into them easily as Gule wa Mkulu was the first line of defense. They were the vanguards of society. 

That was a long time ago in 2004 and thereabout. Far too long that these days things have changed. 

Unlike those we grew up watching, today's spirits are “woke”. So woke that they beg for alms in the streets, brandish machetes at passersby and take pictures of themselves at “dambwe”, where they are fished out from.

Today's Gule wa Mkulu is a shadow of its former self. It's been infiltrated by rogue spirits, mischievously taking advantage of their anonymity to inflict harm on defenseless humans. 

But humans haven't just sat down to watch these spirits terrorize their civilized spaces. They have armed themselves to the teeth. They are no longer afraid. And that’s why Gule wa Mkulu isn't revered anymore.


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