CULTURE

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The list below gives a synopsis about the Zambian Traditional Ceremonies in their respective provinces.

1. Central Province (IChibwela Mushi).

The Ichibwela Mushi is a harvest celebration of the Bisa, Swaka, Lala, and the Lamba people. People Cerebrate this event as a thanks giving for the safe return from their temporal homes in the fields where people stay during the planting season.The ceremony takes place in September every year.

Ichibwela Mushi (Coming Home), is held in Mkushi in central province. It is hosted by Chief Shaibila and attended by senior Chief Chitambo, Senior Chief Mboroma, Chiefs Chitina, Kaundula, Chinyesha, Kabamba, Mailo, Chibale, Kafinda, Mulungwe, Serenje and Nkole.

2. Eastern Province (Kulamba, Nc'wala Ceremony).

KULAMBA. Traditionally the Chewa people have practiced the Chinamwali puberty rites, the Gule Wamukulu or Nyau masquerade dances. The Kulamba ceremony has gained significance after Zambia's independence and is now synonymous with Chewa identity and unity.

The aim of Kulamba Ceremony is to thank the Creator and to give tribute and an annual account of the people under their charge to the rule of the supreme leader, the Kanga Gawa Undi.

NC'WALA. At the end of February every year, the Nc'wala festival takes place at Mutenguleni village, near Chipata. Due to the nature of this ceremony, it was never practiced during the Colonial regime as it is like war. It was revived after Zambia's independence and now paramount chief Mpezeni, dressed in his Leopard skin and holding a Knobkerrie and shield leads the re-enactment of an old tradition, which has its roots in early Zulu culture.

In the first part of the ceremony, Chief Mupezeni tastes the first fruit of the land - usually sugarcane, maize and pumpkins. Mpezeni's praise singer repeats the traditional praises in an old suviving form of isiZulu, that the Ngoni brought with them across the Zambezi.

3. Luapula Province (Umutomboko).

The Mutomboko ceremony of the Lunda people in Luapula province is an exciting event that is held on the last weekend of July, in Mwansabombwe. The ceremony is held to cerebrate the "crossing of the river" - the historic arrival of the Lunda in Luapula. The ceremony comprises of a number of events that culminate in the performance of the mutomboko dance of victory by Mwata Kazembe.

4. Northern Province (Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena).

Northern province is highly populated by Bemba speaking people. The Bembas have a close affinity with Mwata Kazembe's Lunda of Luapula Province. Ukusefya Pa Ng'wena ceremony is an historical celebration of the migrating legend of the Bemba people which takes place in August every year. It is held over a period of two days, culminating in Ilamfya, the gathering of all Bemba people, where matters of importance are discussed and addressed.

5. North Western Province (Likumbi Lyamize).

The Likumbi Lya Mize, and the Mukanda rites associated with boys' circumcision, and Wali, which is the initiation ceremony for the girls.

Likumbi Lya Mize means "the cerebration of mize". Mize day, as it is known in the sleepy town of Zambezi, takes place on the last weekend of August every year.

Mize is the name of the traditional headquarters of the Luvale people in the wide-open sandy plains where Senior Chief Ndungu has his palace. Surrounded by pools and forest, Mize is definitely a place to be proud of, and this is where the ceremony originated, as a celebration to give thanks for moving the site of the palace.

The first major event of mize week is on the Wednesday in the early morning, when the makishi masks emerge from the grave yard on the west bank of Zambezi town.

6. Southern Province (Shimunenga).

Shimunenga is an annual festival of the Tonga people of southern Zambia. It is a thanksgiving ceremony which attracts a lot of people from around the country. It takes place at a place called Gonde, near Chief Monze's place in Monze District. The dates for this ceremony is normally, the first weekend of July during the Zambia's Heroes and Unity holidays.

7. Western Province (Kathanga , Kuomboka)

Kuomboka is a word in the Lozi language; it literally means ‘to get out of water’. In today's Zambia it is applied to a traditional ceremony that takes place at the end of the rain season, when the upper Zambezi River floods the plains of the Western Province. The festival celebrates the move of the Litunga, king of the Lozi people, from his compound at Lealui in the Barotse Floodplain of the Zambezi River to Limulunga on higher ground.

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There are a number of traditional ceremonies that take place through out the year, almost every month and BIMM is able to arrange any tour to any of these ceremonies.

View the full Cultural Event Calendar here

View the Zambia Cultural Trek

Email: bimm@microlink.zm