Editors PickNational News

JB for Yao tribal grouping

President Joyce Banda
President Joyce Banda

Malawi President Joyce Banda has asked Yao traditional leaders in the country to unite and form a cultural grouping to promote their culture.

The President made the call in Blantyre on Sunday at the elevation ceremony of Senior Chief Somba.

Without direct reference to the friction between the Yao tribesmen over formation of such a grouping, the President cautioned that she will shame those pulling strings to prevent the grouping from taking off.

Two Yao tribal groups, Ndamo sya Yao and Chiwanja cha Yao are currently fighting over the establishment of the cultural grouping.

Banda asked the Yao chiefs to emulate other tribal groupings in the country, such as Chewas, Lhomwes and Ngonis, who are making progress after formation of tribal groups.

She said: “Leave us alone to promote our Yao culture. Get together and advise me what to do to form the grouping.”

Chiwanja cha Yao is said to have strong links to the ruling People’s Party (PP) officials whereas Ndamo sya Yao was being spearheaded by former first lady Callista Mutharika, wife to former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika.

During his rule, Mutharika also established the Mulhako wa Alhomwe tribal grouping ostensibly to promote Lhomwe cultural values.

Recently, interim chairperson of the yet-to-be-formed Chiwanja cha Yao, Alhaj John Likonde, said the two groups are different and may have different missions, explaining that Ndamo sya Yao means culture of Yaos whereas Chiwanja cha Yao means a grouping of Yaos.

He is on record as having dismissed as untrue suggestions that Chiwanja cha Yao has links with Banda.

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