VULMA DANCE: A Dance Of Wealth, Royalty And Valour 

By Munyal Manunyi 

The Vulma dancers known for their stylish dance and colourful cultural attires representing royalty, are Gude speaking people from Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State in Nigeria, whose occupation is farming.

The Vulma cultural dance, usually performed by great men of valour, takes place during the rainy season. This is also the time when young men who are eligible to become ‘real men’ are initiated into the elders forum in the community.

Traditionally, young men whose families aren’t wealthy are excluded from Vuma dance, and do not have a say in community meetings. They aren’t even allowed to attend those meetings. This is because since farming is their means of livelihood, members of the community are expected to amass wealth through farming and hard work.

Wealthy men who partake in such dances are considered bold enough to make decisions in their communities. They’re also seen as warriors who could defend their communities during wars.

Costume:

The Vulma costume itself reeks of wealth and royalty. It is the combination of a royal mantle and folk costume worn by heroes and men of valour.

The Vulma costume is symbolic, bearing the following meaning:

The feather (Nndawa) placed on their caps, is a symbol of pride and gallantry.

The knife pointing upward in the middle of their caps are meant to hold the feathers (Ndawa) in place. It also serve as weapons during wars.

The black cap worn by elders (not ordinary men), symbolises authority.

Also, the red jacket is what kings wear over the white royal mantle.

There’s the black trousers too which signifies the black royal trousers worn by kings before mounting horses.

A quick glimpse at the side of the folk costume worn by the Vulma dancers reveals a large pocket for stocking bambara nuts, cooked guinea corn and groundnut that young men who are newly initiated into the elder’s forum munch from time to time during cultural dances. This is to keep them from getting hungry while they concentrate on dancing.

Funny enough, with these pocketful of snacks, these young men go around looking for friends they like to share some bambara nuts with. This is their way of extending friendship. On the contrary part, if they don’t like you, they’ll offer you some cooked guinea corn to indicate that.

And as a show of wealth, during cultural dances, the dancers deep their hands from time to time into their left-hand side pocket which is already stashed with cash and begin to spray both the singers and drummers. This is an act of generosity which can’t be overlooked by both the singers and drummers who show appreciation by performing more to impress the dancers.

Finally, the it’s good to note that the left-hand pocket also contains a knife, which serves as weapon of war.

Interestingly, as these young men dance around, young girls and other dancers from different groups fan them with hand fans.

This group of Vulma dancers in this video has won several dance competitions in China and England.