By MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI –

ZAMBIA has a variety of cultural festivals normally celebrated annually by different tribes across the country.
Some of the notable festivals are traditional ceremonies celebrated by different tribes, some of whom use the events to thank God for a good harvest and to pray for another fruitful harvest in the following season.
The ceremonies also help the country and its people to trace their origins.
Last Saturday, the Bulima people of Mpongwe District commemorated the Nsengele Kununka traditional ceremony that attracted many people from different parts of Zambia.
The ceremony was held to thank God for the unity and peace the people in the area have continued enjoying, as well as the germination of new seeds and shrubs in the chiefdom.
The event also served as a reminder of Chief Machiya’s triumph over gun powder from the muzzle loaders called mututila, and the smell of the defeated and decomposing corpses.
Chief Machiya’s representative, Emmanuel Kasambo paid tribute to the departed mothers and fathers who contributed in many ways to make the ceremony what it is today.
Mr Kasambo gave a brief background of the history of the ceremony which has been celebrated since 1976.
Chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili, who graced the ceremony, called on the people in the country to support their traditional ceremonies.
Mr Kambwili, who is the Information and Broadcasting minister, said traditional ceremonies help Zambians trace their origins, and play a critical role in preserving and transmitting the country’s culture to the young generation.
“Not only do ceremonies bring about unity among the subjects but also other people across religions, ethnicity, race and political lines,” he said.
He   said Government attaches great importance to traditional ceremonies such as Nsengele Kununka.
“Government wishes to congratulate your Royal Highness Chief Machiya and the people within and beyond the Machiya chiefdom for organising and hosting the Nsengele Kununka traditional ceremony annually to commemorate the rich tradition of the Bulima people,” Mr Kambwili said.
He said through such ceremonies, the spirit of ‘One Zambia One Nation’ was clearly manifested.