The tchoopa dance is performed by people in Southern Malawi who originally migrated from Mozambique in the 19th century.
The dance re-enacts the migration of the Mozambicans. Their costumes include elaborate headdresses which represent the "katundu" (belongings) that the people brought with them. Some dancers "transport" stuffed animals on their backs which represent the livestock that they brought with them to Malawi. However, some of the participants prefer to drive.
The dancers, who include both women and men, usually perform in a line formation which maves in a snake-like fashion with each dancer following the person in front of him on the "journey".
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