Govt sets day for cultural festivals

President Lazarus Chakwera says from 2023 all cultural festivals should be held on National Day of Unity.

He said this on Saturday at the Tumbukas annual Gonapamuhanya Cultural Festival at Bolero in Rumphi District.

The President sad the day was established to demonstrate his government’s commitment to promote national identity, dignity and heritage.

Chakwera said cultural festivals create a platform to reflect, challenge, reform and even drop some cultural practices and traditions.

He said: “Some cultural practices and traditions are detrimental to girls and women.

“They take away women self-esteem while making men feel superior.”

Chakwera said some cultural practices forced girls to be married off to settle their parents’ debts.

The President added: “Such harmful cultural practices have no space in Malawi because they abuse women’s rights and counteract the fight against gender-based violence.

“This is a republican nation governed by laws not by men. I, therefore, ask civil society organisations and victims to report to police any human rights abuse.”

He also urged government ministries, departments, agencies and organisations to create instead of just consuming wealth like a piece of cake.

In his remarks, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Blessings Chinsinga advised traditional leaders against selling land to foreigners, saying the tendency will negatively affect Malawians in future.

He said: “Traditional leaders should refrain from promoting child marriages and selling land to foreigners.

“Impartially deliver justice to promote peace in this country.”

Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe took advantage of the ceremony to thank Chakwera and his Zambian counterpart Hakainde Hichilema for creating an environment where the Tumbukas from the two countries easily interact.

He called on the Tumbuka to peacefully coexist, guard against jealousy and protect their cultural heritage.

“Let us promote our language by writing books in Chitumbuka. We should also continue to be peace-loving people and refrain from corruption,” said Chikulamayembe.

The festival is held annually in commemoration of the first Chikulamayembe, Gonapamuhanya.

The event takes places at Themba la Mathemba Chikulamayembe’s headquarters at Bolero in Rumphi District.

Some dignitaries who attended the event included Speaker of National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara, former vice-president Khumbo Kachali, paramount chiefs M’mbelwa and Kyungu, Malawi Congress Party vice-president for (North) Harry Mkandawire, chiefs Mbamba and Kifungwe and government officials from Zambia.