JB calls for cultural identity

Malawi President Joyce Banda on Saturday called on various tribes in the country to uphold their cultural identity.

Banda was speaking at the Hora Mountain Heritage Centre in Mzimba when she attended the ngoni annual celebration called Umthetho.

“Umthetho means tradition, custom, law and governance. This concept or its equivalent embodies the value of love for each other, helping one another, respect for others, mutual understanding, the upholding of human dignity and a positive attitude towards work that makes us distinct as Malawians,” she said.

Banda said Malawi being in a global village has to learn cultures of other countries. 

“Last week, there was coronation of Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani V [of the Maseko Ngoni] in Ntcheu. Today, there is Umthetho celebration and next week there will be Kulamba [for the Chewa]. This is the will of God and I would like to see all tribes in the country celebrate their cultures,” she said.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Grace Maseko asked the President to declare Hora Mountain a tourist attraction.

Paramount Chief M’mbelwa IV said traditional leaders will also look into cultural practices in the wake of HIV and Aids as they work with government of the day.

“People out there say that chiefs are greedy. We are actually not greedy, but work with government of the day,” he said.

Chairperson of the Mzimba Heritage Association Professor Boston Soko called on government to consider introducing Tumbuka in schools, especially in standards one and two.