Renowned reggae MC Zendiambo Curedeh, popularly known as Jack Kwaka Jumanne has introduced a new dance style called Mapangale, which has rapidly gained popularity on social media.
While many Kenyans are enthusiastically embracing the unique dance move, others find it unsettling due to its violent undertones.
The dance involves two participants facing each other, swaying and gradually lowering their bodies while using their arms to mimic the act of slashing their partner with a panga.
Individuals can also perform the dance solo by following the rhythmic up-and-down movements while pretending to slash themselves from the neck down to the shoulders and arms.
Over the weekend, Tiktok was inundated with videos of the dance style, and some of the most well-known creators joined in, contributing to its unstoppable popularity.
Other content creators have gone a step further by demonstrating their dance styles with an actual panga – some are filming videos of themselves while dancing to the tune at supermarkets, where they can be seen brandishing fresh new pangas from the shelves.
Several well-known Tiktok dancers have already begun releasing recordings of themselves taking part in the challenge.
Kabuda, a popular dance influencer, as well as comedians Mulamwah, Terence Creative, and DJ Shiti, have all been filmed enjoying the dance.
Kenyans on X have also welcomed the dance, however, with different perspectives.
While some believe that Kenyans really needed a new dance style, others find the style morbidly unsettling because it includes mimicking the act of dismembering oneself or another person with a panga.
Those opposed to the dancing style have highlighted the prevalence of femicide incidents around the country, with many expressing their discomfort with enjoying a dance that reminds them of homicides and horrible murders.
However, some Kenyans have no issue with the dance style. Supporters of the ‘Mapangale’ dance argue that the Kenyan youth are simply a creative group, and their content serves to uplift the nation’s mood.
Also weighing in on the debate was popular X personality Fello Ngugih, who stated, “The Mapangale style was created by a certain matatu driver. He does it to everyone who greets him, and people simply respond in kind. It’s not about killing each other. It’s been around for a while and has a different meaning in the matatu industry as well. The real issue here is that you guys on Twitter are overreacting.”
The Mapangale dance style has ignited diverse opinions, with some praising it as a vibrant expression of Kenyan youth culture, while others criticize its controversial elements.
The ongoing debate underscores the dynamic nature of trends and how they are perceived differently across communities and age groups.
