Traditional leaders in Dowa have commended the Copyright Fund under the Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma)for constructing a heritage hub to promote and preserve culture in Kwenje Village in the district.
Speaking during the handover on Saturday at Kwenje Village in Dowa, group village head Kayedzekeka said the hub is a welcome development for a community that holds culture dearly.
“As chiefs, we know that traditions and culture are slowly deteriorating among the younger generation and there is need to do something about it. This new hub will help revive our cultural practices. It will be a place where our children can learn and appreciate the value of our customs,” he said.
The heritage hub will be the home and venue for various cultural activities, including artisans works and local artists such as traditional drummers, dancers and choirs.
In another interview, group village head Kwenje, Demasco Jabesi, said culture remains at the centre of people in his village and for a long time they had been conducting cultural events in open spaces. He said the hub now provides a proper venue.
“People carried out their activities in the sun, but now this will help. We will also be using the same place to teach our children our traditions so that they know the ways of our ancestors and keep history alive,” said Kwenje.
Human Power Organisation president Innocent Gondwe said they constructed the hub financed by the Copyright Fund. He said they were impressed by the community’s commitment to culture.
“We were looking for communities that can champion culture, and the people of Dowa especially in this village showed us that passion. With financial support from the Copyright Fund, we made it possible for them,” he said.
Gondwe said together with Copyright Fund and the community they will ensure that the hub is utilised for promoting culture and heritage, adding that in the future they hope to extend the same to other villages in Dowa.
Cosoma head of human resources and administration Pheston Chikankheni said the society through the Copyright Fund is mandated to promote and provide financial support for the creative and cultural industries and that the hub handed to the village is one of the ways of fulfilling that mission.
The Copyright Fund pumped in K7 million for the project.
