HISTORY OF THE BHAGIKA AND BHAGALU DANCE GROUPS, FAMOUS AMONG THE WASUKUMA TRIBEThe dances of the Wasukuma tribe entered a period of intense competition in the mid-19th century, during which two rival groups were formed. These two groups were founded by two brothers, Ngika and Gumha. Together, the two brothers were very powerful mamanju (master dancers/leaders) of Sukuma dance, and jointly they formed one group known as BHAGIKA.As the saying goes, two proud leaders cannot remain in the same kraal. Ngika and Gumha later disagreed, and Gumha decided to form his own group, which became known as BHAGALU. After the formation of this group, a major conflict arose between the two groups, BHAGIKA and BHAGALU.Bhagika, led by their manju Ngika, and Bhagalu, led by their manju Gumha, competed fiercely, each attracting followers by using charms of attraction (samba). They became extremely hostile to one another, to the extent that there was no longer any sense of brotherhood between them.It is believed that with the help of traditional healers (wafumu) and supernatural powers received from their ancestral spirits (wakurugenji), they were able to compete intensely.Generally, the group with stronger medicines was the one that emerged victorious, as it attracted more followers than the group with weaker medicines. Since Bhagalu originated from Bhagika, during those years Bhagika were far more numerous than Bhagalu.However, it is said that Bhagalu were very resilient and won many more contests than Bhagika.BHAGIKA GROUPSBacheyekiBakomyalumeBazwilili (Bayeye)These groups were led by the following mamanju:NgikaIbazungikaGabuIbogomhigiKabugumeIbambasi MahushiNgongongaliNdalama NgikaNyasolo MbukeNgalabilo MagayeGabu ShimbaShiluka NyangoShilangila MakambiBHAGALU GROUPSBacheyekiBagobogobo (Bakonongo)BanunguleThese groups were led by the following mamanju:GumhaMulekaMayala