Mwaka Kogwa Festival

Today I went with ZANGOC to the Mwaka Kogwa Festival in Makunduchi, Zanzibar in the south district of the island (highlighted on the map). 

The Mwaka Kogwa is an old traditional festival which marks the arrival of the new year, or 'Nairuz' according to the Shiraz (Iran) calendar. Shirazis were the first foreigners to settle in Zanzibar and many aspects of their culture were absorbed by the Swahili people and were given a local context.

Today was the first day of the 4 day festival which is marked by an opening battle of ritual physical combat, traditionally using sticks and cudgels as weapons which have now been replaced by banana stems. The fight is governed by a number of loose rules which are normally observed by the participants without the need for a referee. When one combatant feels that he has had enough beating, he simply raises both of his hands and surrenders, or changes his weapon for a better one and continues fighting.

Matters become complicated when supporters of either side join in the fight, making it becomes difficult to find an unscathed banana palm in the area! It is traditionally believed that since everyone has had a chance to fight, or to vent any hard feelings, there would be no future conflicts in the town in the coming year. Past year's misunderstandings and disagreements are exorcised and the new year can be started with a clean slate and in harmony.

Participants warm up by running around the pitch

Note the "weapons" in hand...actually used to hit each other with (no jokes!)

I didn't get close enough to the actual fight to take photos, one: because of the crowd and two: for fear of being hit with a banana stem by accident...I'm sure it can't feel good!

So, by now I bet your wondering what the heck ZANGOC's role in this festival was! Well, as I mentioned in my previous blog about Pemba, ZANGOC is currently running VCT services in Unguja and Pemba funded through ICAP. ZANGOC was stationed at the festival to provide free HIV counseling and testing services which were open to anyone at the festival from 11am until 3pm. At the end of the day, ZANGOC had tested and provided post test counseling to 120 people, of which all 120 people tested negative for HIV. The post test counseling was provided to everyone who tested, regardless of positive or negative status. Since all of the tests were negative, the counselors provided clients with information on how to remain safe from HIV and also gave each client free condoms.

ZANGOC/ICAP banner

Banner explaining ZANGOC to the public: Utangulizi - Introduction, Dira - Vision, Dhamira - Mission,              Majukumu Makuu - Objectives