Jere Ngonis for environmental conservation

Mzimba Cultural Heritage Association (Mziha) has announced that this year’s Umtheto Cultural Festival scheduled for August 12 will focus on exploring ways of preserving the environment.

Mziha general secretary Kingsley Jere told The Nation that they have observed that some of the traditions and cultures fuel environmental degradation; hence, the need to explore how culture enthusiasts can maintain their traditions without harming the environment.

“We have come to a point where we must accept that we need to move with the time. We can no longer wear pure animal skin. We must improvise,” he said.

Jere said they are ready to explore the use of some clothes that resemble animal skin, among other things.

“We will also use Umtheto Cultural Festival to discourage our people from cutting down trees so that they can plant millet in accordance with our culture. It is time to change all that since culture is dynamic and we can change a few things,” he said.

Jere said activities will start on August 9 with a discussion on how Jere Ngonis can preserve the environment while maintaining their culture.

“The first conference will be for traditional leaders and their spouses. Then we will have the second set of conferences for men and women in our kingdom on August 10,” he said.

On Agust 11, Inkosi ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa will lead his subjects to pay homage at the grave of Inkosi ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa 1 before hiking Hora Mountain in the afternoon.

“The climax will be on the 12th where the Inkosi will address his people to give a consolidated message on environmental preservation following the conferences,” said Jere.

In a video message accessed by The Nation, Inkosi ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa V said: “Sanibonani nonke [greetings to you all]. Happily, I extend our warm invitation to you all to Umtheto Cultural Festival on August 12 2023. Join us as Hora historic mountain from 8 o’clock in the morning where you get to experience our traditional dances, and enjoy our special Ngoni food and drinks. Your presence shall not only be exceptional to us. It shall be momentous as well.”