By LusakaTimes
Thousands of people from across the country, foreign tourists and journalists representing various International media organizations have flocked to Chipata to witness the 2011 N’cwala Traditional ceremony taking place at Mtenguleni in Chipata today.
President Rupiah Banda and wife Thandiwe are already in Eastern Province ahead of the official opening of the ceremony at which the Head of State is expected to be the Guest of Honour.
Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, Tourism and Natural Resources minister Catherin Namugala and deputy minister in the office of the Vice-president Daniel Munkombwe are accompanying President Banda in Chipata with more cabinet ministers expected to join the entourage today.
Unconfirmed reports say President Banda has also invited his Malawian counterpart Bingu Wamutharika to join him in officiating at the culture rich ceremony of the Ngoni people.
Last year, South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma did the honours with his sensational Zulu cultural dance troupe which he has still managed to send this year.
The South African Ngoni warriors are on the list of invited foreign dance troupes,others from Malawi, Mozambique and Botswana are also expected to exhibit various performances at the Mtenguleni arena later in the day.
But to kick start the programme, President Banda is expected to pay a courtesy call at the Chief’s special palace called the Laweni, after which he proceeds to the well decorated main arena.
The Chief’s special warriors called the Impis will then proceed to the Laweni to officially unveil the paramount chief of the Ngoni, who portrays the Lion King of the jungle, making the first official appearance of the year to his subjects.
During this stage, and the rest of the ceremony, no other person is allowed to wear the skin of a Lion and doing so attracts consequential punishment.
The Impis then escort the Paramount chief to Mtenguleni, chanting special praises amidst ululating and clapping from the half stripped elderly women of the clan.
Upon arrival at the arena, the Chief is welcomed by the rest of his subjects as the foot stamping, wriggling and clapping ritual takes centre stage.
The Chief has announced that there will be no political speeches allowed at the ceremony this year and therefore activities of entertainment in nature are expected to take up much of the day.
At the climax, the Impis will then do the most important ritual called the “Mnikelo” at which a special black cow will be slaughtered using spears.
The first blood drops of the dying animal will be presented to Chief Mpezeni who is expected to drink it fresh, signifying a go ahead to the hunters to prepare the rest of the meat for the subjects.
With this outlook, Chipata is this weekend the most happening town in Zambia as evidenced by activities already taking shape in various parts of the budding city.
Is Sata not attending?
These primitive cultural fimofimo have no place in morden society. I mean this is 2011 and people are still drinking animal blood ( for what?) and parading half naked (why?). Africa (especially Zambia) shall always remain a dark continent for sure. we need development not these …
Black nigas people of Zambia
HAHAH I wish you the best BA MUCHIME.
Speaking of HH the Nkosi yamakosi once said: ‘Uyu Munthu namu konda” I am sure all outr tradition and political leaders will be well represented.Mpezeni is one of man of the people and mingles with public in places like DISCO etc hahah.
As usual may the peace of God reign in Zambia
Ubuchende mu Chipata this weekend. Please use condoms.
Those pictures are disgraceful
I would never wear that
Thanks
Be Proud of our tradition. In other countries, they move naked as part of their cause.
These events petrify me, I get scared and wonder why people would all this an event
This clearly is a farce, I think it is scandle, I would hate to think someone I know attended let alone participated in this 13th century ritual
People need to be modernised accept that white supremacy, the western world has to be copied replicated and accepted
A pure embarrasment of an event.
If you were in glasgow you would conquer my views
Thanks
@ 8, we have been to beautiful places than Glasgow but we still respect tradition. You are a disgrace and a lost person who glorifies white people more than your own. Shame on you and you. You must be a person of little achievements and being in the UK to is like you are already in paradise
#8 a lost dirt waste lady whatever you can cal your self…im proud to be a Zambian and enjoy my traditionaals that are celebrated
Haaaa! Let them pay homage. Its part of life. Traditional ceremonies are okay as long as they are not politised. The unity in dirvesity is what we need at these noble functions. Mangani its your show and hope your Bemba cousins have come in large numbers to feast with you in blood and flesh!
The Impis from South Africa are a thrill to watch. Its good there will be no political speches from politicians. By the way is HH, Sata, Milupi, Chipimo Jr. and Auntie Edie attending.
@8. Put on some clothes you shameless w.h.o.r.e!
Once again its that time of the year to see Chipata old ladies half way strippers, by the way what about that gentleman who used to walk just with an underwear in Chipata town during the fundraising events for this same Ncwala ceremony is he still there walking naked like that? The most part i find it difficult to accept at this traditional ceremony is the part where Mpezeni drinks fresh blood, i think thats nasty and source for unexplained diseases, eg Cancer.
agony is criticising something you do not have enough information about. it’s sad to hear people passing judgement and condeming something they have no idea about. munyoza angoni just because mumekela cuma ca azungu kwa munkhala, shame. woza mungoni!
Mushota, what about your “Kusefya pa ng’wena”?
So you don’t know your natural heritage, and have adopted other people’s heritage. That is why people keep on enslaving you, abusing and using you because they know you have denounced your real humanity and your rights. You are without roots.
Decolonise your mind iwe chiMushota. You are a shame for Africa.
Good afternoon
Tourism is Africa’s gold mine and our culture is the real wealth we must preserve.
#8 Mushota, yes Glasgow undoubtedly has its own fascinations too, but you will have to agree that these cannot be compared to the wild, dynamic natural beauty that the African continent and it’s inhabitants have to offer.
Apart from a few polar bears, deer, snow and mountains, everything else in Europe is unnaturally centered around the big cities and industries. The real attraction to Europe is its history – most of it being a long list of conflicts, tragic and shameful acts, environmental and social problems.
Why did the Dutch set off on a “Great Trek” to settle in South Africa? The peculiar culture of African people, their oneness with nature has never been a threat to…
..mankind. Our traditional ceremonies are neither barbaric nor disgraceful. They are simply natural, ethnic rituals expressing joy, togetherness, strength and blessing.
Some people who have been brain washed by western culture don’t even understand the cultural values of African . Chinese ,Asians and westerners are damn proud of their culture and traditional ceremonies. Who are we not to be proud of our own selves? What we eat,how and what we dress .Viva Africa.Our identity remains from our skin,our hair ,our etc
LT, your headline for this article is pathetic
In Europe they are sausages that are made from boiling cow’s blood called black pudding. The Chinese also use blood in some of their cooking. The Maasai and other cattle herding peoples of East Africa use cow’s blood as a source of protein. Ignorance and cultural chauvinism of some on this blog is truly shocking in this day and age.
Is this ceremony similar to Glastonbury, and does it generate similar levels of income? If it a loss making venture, then lets either bin it or privatise it. I am sure loads of tourists from Kwa Zulu Natal will be willing to folk out a few rands for this meaningless and outdated event! Dont agree with half naked mamas showing off their boobs, for what?
Ama Rubbish. I hope your Banda was whisked away apon seeing paraded naked women. This should be ponography for him
iwe ka mushota . . . .just continue sucking those white things . . .by now your lips should tell a story. Thus your culture now! lost bemba thing. mahule
I don’t know why some people are not proud of their country with its diverse cultural practices. Especially chi mushota lady. Everything she says is so negative about Zambia. I begin to think she is out there as a porn star and sleeping with dogs. Mind you, people come from all over the world to participate in this ceremony and live in better places/lives than some of you ostentatious guys. I am a Ngoni living in the UK and I have been participating in the ceremony for many years. Bayete Nkhosi ya ma Nkhosi.
woza angoni
Lusaka times seem to be just a bunch of illiterates. Just tell me what the title of this story is all about. Learn to have short but striking titles!
Awo aMushota alushote nzelu! Neo lomba naseluka kuchipata nalobela Kulaweni kwaMutenguleni!
Awo aMushota alushote nzelu! Neo lomba naseluka bus kuChipata nalobela kwaMutenguleni!
All I am saying is that it is nauseating embarrasing to see elderly women just about naked
If that was my mother or grandmother I would denounce them
Its a joke
Absolutely pathetic, these women are going about half naked and there is nothing in them to look at, It makes me cry
I maybe black but inside of me, I dont think like one, I am not here to upset anyone ut to open your eyes and CONDEMN this ritual with all stamoing it may deserve
I am pulling my hair lookin at those pictures, The streets in glasgow to see that they would term it MAD
Just my opinion
Thanks
This is one of the greatest cultural gatherings that truly define Zambia!! To pretend that this is a disgrace, the same western world that so many “blinded young zambians” look up too admire those of us that are proud of our hertiage
ivi vima so called Zambians in Europe and USA are a disgrace really they spend many hours reading about what is happening in Zambia yet dont even appreciate their heritage. Africa and the West have got two different worlds. We have our own here and we are proud. We dont need Carnival, Hallowen etc we have them here. Each tribe has. All those who are hating on African triditional ceremonies leave and keep ur western Cultures please!!!!
I WE kashota!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Traditional or cultural ceremonies helps unites people.Duringthese ceremonies young people and women make money to improve their living standards.
By showing or holding tradion ceremonies we entertain people from other countries who bring in the much needed forex .Some countries earn most of their money from tourism.
We can only suggest to modify some of the parts practiced at these ceremonies when and if they become bad.
Waa i forgot to say the best part:
It is sunday may we now glue our selves to emmanuel.tv to hear what God will .I thank you all Ngonis for giving us prophet Philip Banda based in South Africa.This man operates like prophet T.B.Joshua.
Last night lines were bad we were un able to watch Prophet Philip Banda on MUVITV where he normally comes every saturday at 22:00.
Yes Ba Muchime ,Ngonis thank you for giving us a prophet with international standard from heaven
#35:
God does not speak through emmanuel T.V nor does he use prophets any more (Heb 1:1-2). Anyhow enjoy ur day as ur cousins at Mutenguleni in Chipata enjoy drinking raw blood and watching half naked old women.
My cousins in Chipata have nothing to show except that they are a gang of poachers, I wonder if those skins were obtained legally.ZAWA should pounce on them all. As for the women.. dont you have virgins to display rather than those flacid breasts. No wonder Jacob Zuma was not impressed as he is used to seeing firm rounded tits of the Zulu and Swazi virgins. Mushota you whore.
@#35 you think dancing for a crocodile in Chitis Palace is more traditional? Leave us alone and continue your usual practice of over using your buccal cavity and slectively apply your grey matter if there is any at all.
Mushota, you must be ashamed of yourself. You are busy mopping floors and serving tables in Glasgow. The people whose floors you are mopping fly all the way to Zambia to see these ceremonies.
Thats the problem with you people, you spend a day in Glasgow and you think you are white.
Get a life and stop being primitive.
Young Girl “Mushota” You have lost it, be yourself and appreciate your country’s culture. Don’t embarrass us, see how Swazi people or Tswana love their culture. Swallow your some of us attitude.
You can definitely see your skills within the work you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart.