. Scott

By CLEVER ZULU and JULIUS PHIRI –
ZAMBIA this weekend celebrates two traditional ceremonies which are among the biggest in the countries cultural heritage.
These are the Likumbi Lya Mize of the Luvale speaking people and the Kulamba traditional ceremony of the Chewa -Speaking people in Eastern Province.
Vice-President Guy Scott is expected to grace this year’s Likumbi Lya Mize traditional ceremony of the Luvale people of North Western Province which has been sponsored by Zamtel.
District organising committee chairperson Charles Moono said the committee invited President Michael Sata who in turn has delegated the Vice-President to grace the ceremony which started on Wednesday this week and climax today.
“This ceremony started on Wednesday this week with Kuvumbuka, the resurrection of the Makishi from Zambezi Township graveyard and on Thursday we had Makishi dances on the beach while Friday overnight dances near the main arena,” he said.
Today, the highlight is the arrival of Senior Chief Ndungu into the main arena in Kalikoki through a colourful procession on a traditional hammock escorted by the royal guards, retainers and praise singers.
Meanwhile, Chief Ndungu has praised Zamtel for its continued support to traditional ceremonies across the country.
The senior chief was speaking when Zamtel chief marketing officer Evans Muhanga paid a courtesy call on him at his palace on Thursday.
“Zamtel being a Zambian company is doing a good job in supporting this ceremony. You (Zamtel) should not be tired of supporting the ceremony,” the chief said.
The ceremony provides an opportunity to see the colourful Makishi dancers.
The Makishi are displayed with pride at the Likumbi Lya Mize ceremony on the last Saturday of August every year.
The Makishi come from a tradition of boys’ initiation in which moral lessons are imparted and practical life lessons to young boys between eight and 12 are given.
The event takes place on both sides of the Zambezi and has vibrant market stalls where baskets, metalwork, traditional fabric and carvings are sold. Masked dances and theatrical performance take place throughout the days and the meanings of the masks are shared with onlookers
Zamtel are the main sponsors of the event after pumping in K100,000 cash   money  in addition to branding the main arena and dressing the royal guards, retainers and praise singers.
Other sponsors are SeedCo, Zambia Sugar, Zambezi District council and the local business community.
Meanwhile, all is set for Kulamba traditional ceremony of the Chewa-Speaking people and Malaila traditional ceremony of the Kunda speaking people taking place in Katete and Mambwe districts respectively.
Kulamba traditional ceremony will take place at Mkaika headquarters while Malaila will take place at Lubaneni.
Meanwhile, Zambia National Commercial Bank Plc (Zanaco) yesterday, made donations amounting to K47, 000.00 to the organising committees of the LikumbiLya Mize Traditional Ceremony and the Malaila
According to the statement released by the bank, the donation symbolises the Bank’s commitment to help strengthen the cultural heritage of Zambia.
The donation is in line with the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility agenda which also focuses on Financial Literacy, Health and Sanitation, Education and Environmental Management.
The Malaila Traditional ceremony was supported with the construction of the performing stage that will enable guests have a better view of ceremony performances.
The Likumbi Lya Mize Ceremony was supported with the purchase of 200 chairs to enable the ceremony organisers provide comfortable seating for their guests.