Mulhako wa Alhomwe Festival held from October 4 to 6 was a vibrant celebration of Lhomwe culture, showcasing traditional music, dance and art.
The event, held at Chonde Cultural Village in Mulanje, drew thousands of attendees from across Malawi.
The festival started with a brew bash on October 4, featuring music from DJ Moda, Chancy Namoyo and Austine Sikelemu.
Popular brew like kachaso, masese, chibuku and Castel products were available, alongside traditional cuisine at affordable prices.
Traditional cuisine was a highlight of the festival, with delicacies like kalongonda, makaka served with nandolo and nsima from cassava flour.
Local artisans displayed handmade goods such as colourful beads and jewelry, intricately woven baskets and handmade furniture.
Saturday saw traditional games and music competitions.. Cultural competitions followed testing participants’ knowledge and skills in traditional practices like cooking, basket-weaving and storytelling.
The day also saw a lively marketplace emerging with local vendors displaying hand-made goods and local businesses offering unique services. Traditional herbal remedies were also on offer, including mvunguti, tseketseke, nkhondo ku bedi and nsatsi.
The final day, October 6, started with a grand procession, featuring traditional dances such as mganda, Soopa and gule wamkulu, cultural troupes and community leaders.
Former president Peter Mutharika, who is Mulhako wa Alhomwe patron, also attended and received a warm welcome.
Custodians and gatekeepers of the Alhomwe tribe shared insights about interior setup of a traditional Lhomwe house with Mutharika.
The former president expressed delight at the festival’s evolution, describing it as one of the best he has attended.
He emphasised the importance of preserving Malawian culture and respecting elders.
Mutharika also talked about the country’s economic situation.
He condemned the coercion of traditional leaders by unnamed political parties and highlighted challenges like education, human trafficking, and political misunderstandings.
“This type of coercion must stop. Chiefs should not be manipulated by political forces, as their roles are governed by long-standing cultural traditions,” Mutharika stressed.
As the festival came to a close, attendees were left to ponder the importance of preserving cultural identity and promoting national unity.
The Mulhako wa Alhomwe Festival remains a vital part of Malawi’s cultural landscape and Mutharika’s message serves as a call to action for Malawians to prioritise their cultural heritage and democratic values.
