Chefo expects largest delegation to Kulamba ceremony

Chewa Heritage Foundation (Chefo) says this year’s Kulamba ceremony in Zambia on August 29 is expected to draw the largest Malawi delegation ever.

Chefo chairperson Professor George Kanyama-Phiri told The Nation in Lilongwe that he foresaw the record interest in this year’s Kulamba ceremony because his organisation has worked hard in living up to its mandate of preserving, promoting and protecting the Chewa culture.

“Perhaps the major breakthrough is that many people are now aware of their cultural identity and are not ashamed to call themselves Chewas. Through Chefo, the number of people participating in Kulamba has increased substantially.

“I would like to appeal to all Chewas to attend the Kulamba ceremony this year. And I would like to appeal for financial contributions from well-wishers towards this big event,” he added.

Chefo recently organised a number of fundraising events. These included a cultural night event in Lilongwe, a big walk in Blantyre and, yesterday in Lilongwe, a Chidyerano bash and braai.

Kanyama-Phiri recently led a 24-member Malawi delegation, including 15 chiefs, to King Gawa Undi’s headquarters in Zambia’s Eastern Province town of Katete, in one of a series of meetings during which Chewa leaders in Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique update their king on the various preparations concerning Kulamba.

He said the king reiterated the need for order among the Chewas, who should uphold traditional justice and discipline in installing chiefs, especially after incumbent leaders die.

When he briefly visited Malawi about two months ago, the king asked President Peter Mutharika to help ensure that the government facilitates a reduction of the court injunctions through civic education that encourages aggrieved parties to seek recourse to traditional justice systems.

During Kilamba,  Chewas from Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique pay homage to King Gawa Undi. n