As many as 10,000 people participate of the annual
June Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ in St Justin’s Parish, Bujora, Mwanza,
Tanzania, among them people from many religious denominations. The beautiful and
meaningful Procession of the Holy Eucharist begins in the stadium at Kasesa and
winds two miles up the hill to the Catholic Church at Bujora built in the shape
of a traditional round Sukuma hut. Spear-carriers solemnly accompany the
celebrant to show special honor to the Eucharist and to Jesus Christ who is
called both “Chief” and “King” in the Sukuma language. As children throw flowers
during the procession, there is joyful Sukuma drumming, singing and dancing.
Long ago the Sukuma people did not understand the full religious importance of
the day so they called it “Bulabo” (the Sukuma word for “flowers”) or the “Feast
of the Flowers.” The liturgy itself is a joyous event of singing, drumming,
clapping and ululating (a special trilling sound made in the back of the
throat).

    After the religious celebration, the people return to the
stadium for singing, dancing and other entertainment. This is part of a one-week
Sukuma dance festival. There is a dance competition between the two famous
Sukuma dance societies, the Bagalu and Bagika. The judging has a unique African
style. There are no special professional judges as such. The dance groups
perform simultaneously for a period of forty-five minutes. Spectators move from
group to group. At the end of the dance period, the group having the largest
number of spectators around it is declared the winner. This is another striking
example of African communitarian values. Eating and drinking goes on throughout
the day and evening. With the hard work of the harvest over, this is truly a
time of celebrating and feasting. In the evening the singing, dancing and plays
continue on the lighted stage in the stadium.