Tragedy struck in Zimbabwe as a nine-year-old girl met a fatal end while attempting to escape from traditional Nyau dancers who were performing in the suburb of Mabvuku, located east of the capital city, Harare.

According to a police statement released on Wednesday, the young girl fell to the ground and lost her life while fleeing from the Nyau dancers at a local school in Mabvuku on Monday. The police are currently conducting investigations into the incident but have not provided further details.

Nyau dancers, also known as zvigure/izitandari in the Shona language, are known to instill fear in children with their enigmatic dances and attire. While adults associate them with various myths and traditions, young children perceive them as menacing figures, as reported by local media.

The Nyau dancers primarily belong to the Chewa community, which is located in the northwestern regions of Zimbabwe, as well as in Malawi and Zambia. Their performances serve as a means to preserve and transmit the culture and history of the Chewa people.