Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa V on Saturday described the Mtwalo Day as divisive and a parallel cultural festival to Umthetho, the main annual celebration for the Jere Ngoni.
The Jere Ngoni leader made the remarks at Ezondweni during the third edition of Mtwalo Day, saying the celebration has an element of division and burdens sponsors.
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He said: “When we attended last year, it was stated that the ceremony will be conducted that year only. However, you have also invited us for the same festival this year.”
Ngonis under Senior Chief Mtwalo in Mzimba District resurrected the event in 2024, 69 years since it was last held in 1956.
The paramount chief said Mtwalo Day like Umthetho Cultural Festival which relies on fundraising from the same people.
He said the Mtwalos have the right to hold their ceremony at least after 10 years but that celebrating every five years can also be approved.
To avoid conflict with people who he claimed advocate for the political division of Mzimba, M’Mbelwa V said Mtwalo Day should be held at Hora Mountain.
“I, as Inkosi Ya Makhosi, I tell you that you should be inviting us after five or ten years. If Jalavikuba [Traditional Authority], Mpherembe [Senior Chief] hold their ceremonies, will we go to Hora? For the unity and love of Mzimba, this ceremony should be transferred to Hora where there is always a large patronage.
“Mabulabo [Senior Chief] used to have their own ceremony but it was stopped following consultations led by Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa IV. I know you will soon return to the same people fundraising for Hora gatherings,” he said.
The paramount chief’s position is in sharp contrast to what Senior Chief Mtwalo said last year during a press briefing where Mtwalo Culture and Development Association announced a reboot of the event.
He said the Mtwalo Day is not there to end Umthetho Festival, stressing that like any other chief, he is at liberty to lead his people in a separate celebration.
Reacting to M’Mbelwa V’s sentiments, Mtwalo Day organising committee chairperson Moses Mkandawire described it as a very important observation.
However, he said M’Mbelwa V has not necessarily banned Mtwalo Day but was only asking for a review of the interval of the celebration.
Said Mkandawire: “His majesty is of the view that we have a very important event which is Umthetho. So, we have to be very careful when organising Mtwalo Day at this tier level so that we do not conflict with that big event. When his majesty speaks, it becomes law.
“However, he has not really put a ban. The frequency we are organising this is the issue. We should be able to put a new phase, say in three, five or ten years. We, as the organising committee will sit down, reflect on that and present a report through Senior Chief Mtwalo and I think they will discuss it at the chief’s council.”
Apart from sharing food and alcoholic beverages, Mtwalo Day celebrations this year were characterised by traditional dances such as ingoma, beni, malipenga and mganda.
On the other hand, the Jere Ngonis hold Umthetho in August at the foot of Hora Mountain.
Mtwalo is the second in command in the kingdom after M’Mbelwa V and has been his right hand man for years.
During last year’s Mtwalo Day, M’Mbelwa V said while the Jere Ngonis annually commemorate Umthetho, it is important to bring culture to the people in the chiefdoms.
He said not everyone is able to attend Umthetho, hence events such as Mtwalo Day are necessary to impart Ngoni culture to the young.
Mtwalo 1 was one of the sons of Zwangendaba who led the Ngoni from Zululand in South Africa in 1822. He was born from Inkosikazi Qutu Mgomezulu and was crowned in 1855 at Ekwendeni. He died in 1890 and was survived by two sons, Yohane and Amon.
Amon Mhabi Jere was crowned Mtwalo II in 1896. He moved his headquarters from Ekwendeni to Ezondweni and reigned for 74 years. He had seven wives and died in 1970 at the age of 102 but he had no children.
In 1971, Bywell Dawa Jere was crowned Mtwalo III and died in 2001 having ruled for 30 years and in 2003 Shakester Mleza Jere was crowned Mtwalo IV and is the reigning senior chief.
