Organisers of Umhlangano Cultural Festival say they will use the platform to also talk about issues of national importance apart from celebrating culture.
Maseko Ngoni Heritage Trust secretary iMpi Kandi Padambo said in an interview that the 2026 Umhlangano will bring together thousands of Ngoni people from Malawi and neighbouring countries to celebrate their shared heritage, promote development and preserve their culture for future generations.
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“This year’s Umhlangano is not just about celebrating our traditions. It is also a platform where we discuss issues affecting our communities, including child marriages, school dropouts, gender-based violence and environmental conservation,” he said.
Padambo said the trust has expanded its role beyond cultural preservation by supporting government efforts to combat child marriages and school dropouts while using modern technology to document and preserve Ngoni customs and traditions.
“As custodians of our heritage, we are embracing technology to document and preserve our culture so that future generations can access and appreciate their identity. At the same time, we are working with government and other stakeholders to address social challenges affecting our communities,” he said.
The weeklong celebrations will run from August 31 to September 5 2026, culminating at the Gomani Chikuse Memorial Grounds in Nkolimbo Village, Traditional Authority Kwataine in Ntcheu District.
Padambo appealed for financial support from the government, corporate sector, development partners and well-wishers, saying increased funding will enable the trust to stage a successful festival that celebrates Ngoni heritage while contributing to national development.
He said the festival will empower communities, preserve indigenous knowledge and promote collective action against social challenges.
The event is expected to attract Ngoni delegations from across Malawi and Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, e-Swatini and Lesotho, alongside government officials, diplomats, traditional leaders and representatives of other ethnic communities.
The festival will feature displays of traditional Ngoni foods and beverages, cultural dances, discussions on Ngoni history and customs and community dialogues on contemporary social issues.
The Maseko Ngoni Heritage Trust said the modern Umhlangano Cultural Festival was revived in 2013 by Ngwenyama Gomani V following his ascension to the throne.
The gathering aims to strengthen unity among the Maseko Ngoni, reconnect families separated by colonial borders, expose young people to Ngoni customs and traditions and promote peaceful coexistence with other ethnic communities.
The trust says the Maseko Ngoni trace their origins to areas covering present-day Eswatini, South Africa and southern Mozambique before eventually settling in Malawi and Mozambique.
Held under the theme ‘Ubunye bunamandla (Unity is strength)’, this year’s gathering seeks to strengthen cultural identity while promoting national unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among Malawi’s diverse ethnic communities.-Africabriefs
