Chewa people have two heritage groups; Malawi Chewa Heritage and Chewa Heritage Foundation. Our Correspondent LOVEMORE KHOMO sat down with Senior Group Sosola 1 who heads the Malawi Chewa Heritage to explain the difference between the two and others.
Q: When was Malawi Chewa Heritage established and why?
A: It was established and registered in 2023 to deal with some challenges Chewa people face, mainly on culture with its components of traditions and customs, their relationships with traditional leaders and environmental degradation. Another objective was to unite our ethnicity. It is one of the largest ethnic groups in Malawi.
But, what happens between us, where we do not love one another, is a shame. So, we want to bring back that love our people deserves We need to be close to one another.
Q: How unique or different is Malawi Chewa Heritage from Chewa Heritage Foundation [Chefo]?
A: The difference is that we believe in our localities working and promoting culture within Malawi. We believe in having oneness and relationship between us and Gawa Undi, but we should have our own authority over our issues in Malawi. For example, if Zambia could experience a pandemic like Covid-19 where people couldn’t stay close together, or even a war, it translates that the Kulamba ceremonies will die a natural death. So this needs a collective effort so that we work together as Chewa people from Malawi to avoid such scenarios.
We have witnessed our colleagues from other ethnic groups here in Malawi where they hold their ceremonies at their backyards, so we want to encourage that as Chewas from Malawi. We want to meet and gather at one place, that will enhance, promote and safeguard our tradition and customs and share ideas. We have observed that very few people attend Kulamba at Nkayika, in Zambia.
Q: Gulewamkulu has been asking for alms from people and beating them if they fail to pay. Isn’t this theft?
A: We also don’t agree with Chefo on how they have been performing on the ground since 2003. For example, gulewamkulu has not been doing well where we have seen many cases such as rape, defilement, breaking into houses, eating chips on markets, getting into shops and taking photos with people or women. There are many things have affected gulewamkulu on our culture. We are looking at reducing these cases.
Q: There is also a change in dancing styles compared to the past which are not good for children. What has gone wrong?
A: I have been seeing children practising and escorting gulewamkulu to various places at a distance which is worrisome. As Malawi Chewa Heritage, we believe that young people should be going to school, not attending or dancing gulewamkulu all the time.
We condemn anything that can destroy the future of children. For example, I have been seeing gulewamkulu coming from Nanjiri through by-pass road to Njewa in Lilongwe with children. I say no, we should spare and allow children to go to school.
Q: Gulewamkulu has been condemned for obsence language and use of Biblical terms and names. Why?
A: We have indeed been seeing gulewamkulu carrying Bible and saying prayers at certain funerals. Others even proclaim that they are bishops which is bad. Let us behave and spare the word of God. Let us not combine our traditions and customs with the word of God.
For your own information, our ancestors did not do that. We would like to exclude everything which is deeming our culture as bad. Use of obsence language is not part of us, but from other bad individuals within the system.
Q: We have seen the presence of gulewamkulu on various political rallies, including MCP’s. Any problem with that?
A: No problem at all because politicians also have ethnic background. But, let me warn politicians who buy and use youths as a weapon of violence to tanish the image of Chewa as a group. Politicians should be conducting their rallies without violence.
Q: How do you look at the future of gulewamkulu? Will it go into transformation with changing times?
A: No. We don’t have plans to change gulewamkulu because it’s part of our culture. If we change it, then we are diluting our traditions and customs. Gulewamkulu will remain the same over many years to come. We inherited it from our ancestors.
Q: What are some of the challenges Chewa leaders face?
We know that some Chewa chiefs have been bitter to one another on various issues and others can’t even board the same car. So, let us avoid bitterness that can cause divisions.
Another challenge is the fight for chieftaincy which happens when a chief dies.
Q: Any last word?
A: As Malawi Chewa Heritage, we don’t have grudges with anyone. We believe in love and oness. But let us not use Chewas for violence.
