Mulhako wa Alhomwe festival, a platform that celebrates Lhomwe cultural values, yesterday clocked 17 years with an increased patronage from people of all walks of life who transcended tribal backgrounds.
Yet again, Chonde in Mulanje, the venue of this Lhomwe Cultural Festival, was abuzz with activity as patrons flocked to the venue for the celebrations where President Peter Mutharika, the grouping’s patron, was the guest of honour.
Held under the theme ‘Enduring spirit, overcoming challenges together’, the event which started on Friday climaxed yesterday and radiant faces were the order of the day as some patrons sampled traditionally-brewed beer and bought assorted herbal concoctions, including purported sexual performance ehancing herbs.
In an interview, Judith Kulamba, a local from Traditional Authority Mthiramanja’s area, said the 2025 festival was her best event since 2020.
“For the past five years, our festival was not thriving because our leaders were being persecuted… This year we are relieved and I have enjoyed songs by Sendera Sisters [a Democratic Progressive Party women’s group], including local drinks,” she said.
On his part, Lewis Snoden said he was happy because peace prevailed throughout the event this year.
“I have not seen or heard of fights today. However, chaos dominated the event in the last five years which made people to shun it. But today, we came in large numbers and enjoyed ourselves,” he said.
The 2025 festival organising committee chairperson Felix Tambulasi expressed satisfaction with the turnout, saying it cemented the people’s love for culture in the country.
“We organise the event for Lhomwes and all Malawians to celebrate their traditions rooted in dances,” he said.
Tambulasi stressed that the cultural event is not a political grouping, but exists to popularise and preserve Lhomwe cultural norms and identity.
Mulhako wa Alhomwe board chairperson Muchanakhwaye Mpuluka said well-wishers, who included corporates and individuals, contributed about K280 million towards the event.
He said: “Some people are speculating that because our patron [Mutharika] is back as the country’s President, then government sponsored the event. That is not correct. We have been supported by Nico Holdings, Apostle Kawinga and some Chinese, among others. We have been holding the event for the past five years successfully when the patron was out of power.”
In his address, Mutharika called for unity among the people if the country is to attain sustainable development.
Traditional leaders of Ngoni, Tumbuka, Mang’anja, Sena, Chewa, Yao and Ngonde, among others, also graced the event.
