Walking, riding bicycles, canoeing and flying, thousands of people of different ethnic and social-economic backgrounds, thronged the capital town of Western Province, Mongu, to witness a very special occasion, the Kuomboka ceremony of the Lozi people.
Clad in all sorts of attire were revelers from near and far, from Kalabo, Lukulu, Sesheke, from literally all the districts of Western Province, from South Africa, Namibia, Japan, Angola, the United Kingdom, and many other countries, you name them.
The presence of Chief Mumena of the Kaonde people, Chief Nsama from Samfya, Chieftainess Kanyembo from Kazembe and Chief Bwalya Musonda also from Samfya, and above all, Zambia’s fourth Republican President Rupiah Banda who graced the occasion, signified the high esteem that is attached to the Kuomboka ceremony. Proprietor of National Milling…Cotton was also there.
ZNBC and ZAIN were equally on the scene doing their promotions of television licensing and subscriber wooing respectively. The Kuomboka traditional ceremony is over three centuries, according to the traditionalists accosted.
To lodge owners, the celebration of the Kuomboka ceremony was a great blessing in business terms. Lodge room rates suddenly skyrocketed to alarming levels. The smiling faces of the expectant spectators were transformed into sorry sights of sadness as they criss-crossed Mongu Town in search of cheap accommodation which was had to come by.
With a mocking smile on her face, one of the lodge proprietors …proudly told a group of public service workers from Lusaka that she was renting her six-roomed house for four million [ K4,000,000] ‘only’ to those interested in occupying it during the duration of the Kuomboka ceremony.
The poor public service workers disappeared from the scene without uttering a single word, but unfortunately wherever they ventured, they were not amused, as the scenario was basically the same, a K35,000 room suddenly tagged at 150,000, the one for K80,000 raised to K400,000, that for K250,000 lifted to K1,000,000. No wonder when it was time to go back home, most people’s pockets were full of holes.
However, the merrymakers were compensated for in a different way, the scintillating flamboyance of the colourful Kuomboka ceremony.
The ceremony was preceded by President Rupiah Banda’s touching down in a newly acquired Zambia Air force plane at Mongu airport at exactly 09;00 hours on Saturday, 11th April, 2009.
President Banda was received by a group of Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, many other high ranking government officials and representatives of the Barotse Royal Establishment. Also on hand to receive President Banda were MMD party members, youths, hundreds of local residents and traditional dancers who entertained the people present before the President talked to the crowd, preceded by a song of tribute sang by the MMD New Deal choir.
The President started by saying the new era in which Zambia has found itself is for all the citizens of this country. He thanked the Litunga, all the royal highnesses of Barotse Royal Establishment and all the people of Western Province for the huge support they gave him and the MMD, which saw him defeat the other presidential aspirants in the October, 2009 elections to enable him continues with the successes of the late President Levy Mwanawasa.
The President assured the crowd that good things were coming and that Zambians should be patient as the 2009 national budget had been announced two weeks prior to his visit to Mongu.
He assured the nation that this year’s budget was meant to address the problems of all Zambians wherever they are and that he would, together with his loyal Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other leaders continue to respect and work for all Zambians, regardless of all the insults and bad things being uttered about him by those in the opposition and other circles.
President Banda urged the electorate countrywide to block bad, tribal and insulting people from governing the nation, by voting wisely. He called for continued peace and unity in the nation for Zambia to forge forward with its development agenda, citing some neighbouring countries where he said there is unrest and wars because of the absence of peace, love and unity.
The President further said although the construction of the Mongu/Kalabo Road will not be an ease task, it will nevertheless be accomplished. President Banda later an aerial view of the floods situation on the banks of the Zambezi River, which he described as a story of devastation involving the destruction of houses, crops and animals belonging to over 483,000 people.
At exactly 16;25 hours, on the D day, clad in the Lozi traditional gear, President Banda sat, surrounded by thousands of onlookers and dancers, waiting for the arrival of the Litunga at Limulunga. On both banks of the canal leading to the Litunga’s palace were dizzying crowds of people eagerly staring in the direction from which the Litunga’s big boat would come from Lealui.
At 16;41 two small canoes appeared at the corner of the canal heralding the coming of the Litunga. The two boats made a U-turn to report to the escorting the paramount Chief that all is well, the Litunga can proceed.
Soon the sound of the solemn big drums could be heard, accelerating the ululating and singing into top gear much to the excitement of the onlookers who included tourists.
When it was time for the moment everyone was waiting for, the Litunga’s royal boat with a symbolic elephant on the roof of the paramount chief’s shelter majestically appeared, paddled by more than a hundred powerful men including President Banda’s Political Adviser, Akashambwatwa Mbikusita Lewanika.
Following closely behind was the second boat ferrying her royal highness the Litunga’s wife sitting in a shelter on whose roof was a symbolic hen opening and shutting its mouth in a rhythmic manner.
In the third boat were the British Ambassador to Zambia, the royal family’s children and belongings. The three boats made three U-turns accompanied by frenzied drumming and singing before finally stopping to let the Litunga and everybody else disembark.
At the arena at the palace, the paddlers and the members of the royal family danced their lungs out, much to the enchantment of the onlookers, before the delivery of speeches by Litunga’s Ngambela, the Provincial Minister Adonis Mufalali and President Rupiah Banda.
The President described the Kuomboka ceremony as a master piece of oral and intangible cultural heritage for Zambia and the world at large.
He said he was happy to work very well with the educated Lozi sons and daughters and once more thanked the people of Western Province for their continued support, love and loyalty to the New Deal government.
President Banda reiterated that government was assessing the damage caused by the floods in Western Province and that relief supplies would be sent to the affected people soon to mitigate their sufferings.
Earlier, the Ngambela expressed happiness that the Barotse Royal Establishment was working was working well with the government.
The Ngambela thanked government for its timely response to the floods situation in Western Province and for the development programmes taking place in the region. He however appealed to the Government to do more for the people of Western Province.
Speaking during the same occasion, Western Province Minister, Adonis Mufalali said President Banda’s presence was a clear testimony of government’s serious commitment to the Kuomboka ceremony.
He described the Kuomboka ceremony as a unique showcase of the rich Lozi culture and the migration of the Litunga from the flooded Lealui to the higher Limulunga ground and appealed to government to consider the ceremony as part of tourist attraction.
The other dignitaries who attended the Kuomboka were the First Lady Thandiwe, Finance and National Planning Minister, Dr. Situmbeko, Labour and Social Services Minister, Liato, North Western Province Minister, Joseph Mulyata and Community Development Minister, Mike Kaingu among others.
It was the conviction of all the people that attended the ceremony that the Kuomboka is indeed the mother of all traditional ceremonies in terms of pulling crowds. The President returned to Lusaka on Sunday 12th April, 2009.
ENDS/PK/ZANIS
This looks beautiful!! Nice Pic. But where is RB? In the Ubwato?
The Lozi made good money out of this ceremony. A room that was normally going for K35 000 went up to K150 000 ? These guys are true economists, making good money out of the economic crunch. This is a paradox. This economic crunch exists only in the head of people. Money is still available and the only difference is that it is now in stingy hands.
One of the many reasons im a proud Zambian
Kuomboka is always a colourful event!Are we bembas’ allowed to attend as well?
I miss home mweee!
The Nalikwanda looks nice.Even the Litunga is a very respected king unlike M,phezeni. Awe sure!
Am proud to be a Zambian.
Home Sweet Home
#1 Jamaco, RB cant get in the boat, he thinks he will be for PF when he gets in.
And am also proud to be a Virgin at 30.
Chewe, are you not confusing primary impotence with virginity?
Chewe the Pure how are u my great cibusa? Good to know that you are proud of our country ala bambi ngabaya kubulaya awe balapontela necalo cabo.Iam equally proud of my beloved country as well.Each time these cruel pipo of this country as me if at all Zambia is in good compared to South,I always tell them that Zambia is not good but great coz We enjoy ubuthu in zambia and we also have peace in our country compared to this country. Have a lovely day my friend.
Matworld
Iam listening inyimbo (Love songs) may be they can speed up the process of finding the right one for me kaili Mum has refused to find one for me.
Keichi, you make me laugh. So RB in the bought will be Ba Bwato!!!
The last time I saw a similar photo was in my primary school text book years back. I can confess, I have never even seen the Musi-o-tunya falls. During the first few days of my visit to Zed a couple of years ago, I felt lke a foreigner in my own country. Kept wondering where all those new faces in Lusaka came from. It was refreshing being home but ‘ifiko’ pa Zed! apalamba lamba fye….awe sure. :-w
Hmmm..these Lozis are serious Capitalist. Looks like they made a killing during this ceremony. I guess Kuomboka ceremony has gone Full blown commercial, earn your annual income in two days. I should think of putting up a serious structure there. That is why I like frequenting this site even if it is useless with its typo errors. It has the knack of bringing up these rural opportunities which other papers don’t report on. Anyway, thanks LT for bring this market opportunity to light, let me go look for serious cash. Next year , trust me am getting in on this Lozi Act. The profits margins are just too high to resist
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! Chewe Wangufwisha bwino cibusa wandi.Its important mwandi to be proud of these things.in the past I used to fell shy Nomba Iam also proud Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Naya ku class kuti wancelweka Iwe CHEWE THE PURE OR THE PYUWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
peace to all the ganja Niggaz
Baby C, let me take you home if you ve missed it.
#6 your observation is spot on. Mpezeni looks like a kaponya wa pa kamwala lol
Chewe can be naughty at times, Huh!
Peace to all the ganja puffers,Am J Love, just got introduced to this blog the otherday by ma friend.Am half zambian half swedish,but I figure am full Zambian coz thats what I represent.Please allow me to be part of this community,so we can share some home experience,Love you all
Kawalala! ala i will appreciate mwandi! Ma! i can even prepare you Nsima na Chibwabwa mixed with Impwa + Mpulungu kapenta! Lol
Good report rather Essay or memo
Ghost dog thats naughty! who are kidding?? lol
Kuomboka seems to be a nice gathering for tourists. I’m interested in the actual figures of those tourists who specifically came to Zambia for this event.
What is the Ministry of Tourism doing to market it abroad? I never see any Kuomboka posters hanging in the travel agents offices here. All I see are Kenyan, Namibian or South African posters.
#16 I agree Mpezeni is a total joke. remember those pictures in the POST when he was drunk among his subjects. What kind of chief is that? A Kaponya for sure from I don’t know market infact. Please don’t insult Kamwala market kaponyas. They have class. Mpezeni is a total disgrace. Chitimukulu is cool and chief Macha. Easterners on this blog what do you say for your useless chief
Am proud to be a Lozi, ya them guys voted for RB i neva. i hav missd the passd 2 ceremonies i will try to attend 1 for bemba’z for the 1st time does any 1 know the programme, or any other ceremony wich will come after june 09. Lwitumezi in advance
Papa J sorry indeed for insulting Kamwala kaponyas cos Mpezeni really is a total loss.
i wonder how his subject feel about him. Its terrible!!
LT keeps changing my flag, ya shani?
I want my true flag (iya ku Kabundi East, Chingola)
Matworld Nice guy muli shani boyi ala mwansekesha.Missed you,i wanted us to discuss the chelsea semi finals.mukashana eo nkopa akaba blessed boyi.To have the brand new Chewe awe sure its not easy.Nkalala na 16hrs iyo day boyi.
# Nine Chale , you are right, the Tourism minister should be doing a lot so that a lot of tourists can come to such events.
#19 Baby C shani kubulaya? U said am an Easterner so basop mama….
ba j loove mwaiseni. zed is cool only politics stink that is why 2011 we need a big broom to sweep clean. prof chirwa where are you. twalamulabako. Lozi pipo keep the tradition its beautiful. by the umutomboko is around the corner brothers in mansa we can learn from the lozi business booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom
Zoe, kufye best! Mwaiche yalizanda? Know what i mean…….! kwati tapali efyo balemona! Ndeisa ku Chicken party!
I am impressed with “He said he was happy to work very well with the educated Lozi sons and daughters and once more thanked the people of Western Province for their continued support, love and loyalty to the New Deal government”. This is the only way all Zambians wil develop economically.
Sadly, LT failed to acknowledge the presence of the man of the moment UPND president HH in their funny reporting “The presence of Chief Mumena of the Kaonde people, Chief Nsama from Samfya, Chieftainess Kanyembo from Kazembe and Chief Bwalya Musonda also from Samfya, and above all, Zambia’s fourth Republican President Rupiah Banda who graced the occasion, signified the high esteem that is attached to the Kuomboka ceremony. Proprietor of National Milling…Cotton was also there” when a proprietor…
#25 Papa J am frm Eastern but not pali chief Mpezeni but Chief Zumwanda,so i wudnt be offended and very much agreed tht hes a hopeless chief
That’s the way Lozi’s. Increase the room rates so as to gain as much revenue as you can. That is how you do it. When demand is high…you know the rest. SO SO SO PROUD OF THE ACCOMMODATION BUSINESSES.
All in all, I would have really loved to watch the ceremony. Next time I go to zed, I will make sure I make an effort to see it granted it takes place at a time I will be there.
It is a really beautiful ceremony.
We need to brand the Kuomboka Ceremony,I have an idea for mongu and western province at large, after branding the ceremony as a major event not only as a traditional event but also as a tourist attraction event.We need to go a step further and come up with a second annual event which will be taking in that part of the country,in this case western province is endowed with alot of water/plains,we should come up with an annual fishing competition/event to attract participants from different countries,that way western province will have two major annual events on its calender,which will improve the economical status of the province.I have a strong conviction this is feasible. The two events will be able bring in the much needed forex into our country if we package them properly
#26 The Mwine,we have two ceremonies coming up from Luapula and Northern Provinces,The colorful Mutomboko Ceremony will take place in July and also Nkusefya Pa Ng’wena is also coming up in August.
Babyc how are you?
Are Are you seen some digital visions of me somewhere?Ypu can my digital kiss then! mwaaa…….lol
you can have my digital kiss then
bantu ba mu zambia bantu ba mu nation
This is just awesome!! Am so proud to be Zambian and Lozi… Tchwang – 37, good idea… we also need to publicise the return to Lealui in August, which is the second part of the Kuomboka.
Keep the culture!It gives identity. Zambia ivenka che best. Especially countryside nee zee. All green. Rastaman time!
When is ukusefya pa crocodile?
When is ukusefya pa crocodile ceremony?
Digital……naughty!
I know that aMpezeni aoneka ngati muntu wa chabe chabe but please let us remember that he has only recently buried his wife – a little bit of sensitivity is required when making comments about him at this time I think.
Ukushumfwa Mpezeni. Naya malwele ya isako te wa ipeye fye nabakashi?
Well done Lozis, its alo nice to note the presence of other tribal leaders and their clansmen(munyukunyukus as you guys would say)…….I am Bemba but its fair to say of all ceremonies, this has the most potential of marketing to the outside and definitely we can/should bring more tourists than current. Anyone been to Senanga and Sesheke? With those beautiful banks of the Zambezi, and proper planning, a tourism corridor of lodges and fishing camps can be developed and this thing of only Mongu benefitting and shortage of accomodation will come to a halt.
RHIS IS A GREAT EVENT, FOR US ZAMBIANS WHO ARE OUTSIDE SHOULD TRYBY ALL MEANS TO MARKET OUR GREAT CEREMONY. INDEED IT IS THE MOTHER OF ALL BEAUTIFUL CEREMONIES OF ZAMBIA COZ IT CAN ATTRACT PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD GUYS. IT IS NOT THE DUTY OF US WHO ARE LOZIS BUT FOR ALL. LET US FEEL PART AND PARCEL OF THE WHOLE EVENT. THIS IS ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION. ONE CANNOT MAKE ME MARKET UMUTOMBOKO, THERE ARE ALL ZAMBIAN CEREMONIES, AM PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY CEREMONY. IT DOES NOT MEAN WHEN PEOPLE SAY THAT KUOMBOKA IS THE MOTHER OF CEREMONIES, THEY DO NOT MEAN THAT OTHER CEREMONIES ARE USELESS. I TELL U THOUGH AM LOZI AND PROUD OF MY CULTURE, I STAND BY SAYING THAT OTHER CEREMONIES ARE IMPORTANT TOO. THANKS BANDA, DIGNITARIES, CHIEFS FROM DIFFERENT TRIBES, TOURITS FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE 4 COMING
THIS IS A GREAT EVENT ……. \ WHAT CANNOT MAKE ME MARKET UMUTOMBOKO……….\
Oh iam a pure lozi @ heart and i really missed this ceremony
Hoping to attend it one day! Nice ceremony!
A proud lozi