Wasambo appeals to youth to protect environment
Senior Chief Wasambo of Karonga has called for sustainable environmental protection to void disasters.
The chief made the appeal at Fulirwa Primary School in Traditional Authority (T/A) Wasambo in Karonga District Wasambo Cultural Festival commemoration.
“There is need to protect the environment by avoiding cutting down trees. We are grappling with effects of climate change due to our recklessness,” he said.
Wasambo also called on the youth to embrace and promote culture.
He said it is important for the youth to trace their identity by knowing where they are coming from, who they are and where they are going.
Karonga South member of Parliament Uchizi Mkandawire (Malawi Congress Party), who was the guest of honour, said government is committed to promoting cultural festivals in the country.
“For example, through this festival, we have been warned that while we strive to preserve
culture, we should also preserve the environment and natural resources to fight effects of climate change,” said the Minister of Youth and Sports.
On his part, Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa districts emphasised the need to embrace love, unity, respect, togetherness and hard work.
He said: “Cultural festivals cannot be meaningful if youths donot inculcate unity, love and respect for elders.
“Therefore, let us stop accusing grey haired elders of practising witchcraft. Again, let parents send their children to school instead of marrying them off.”
Wasambo Cultural Festival organising chairperson group village head Mwandovie said the event cleared ground for the next cultural festival next year.
“We are glad that despite the rains, we managed to hold the festival. This has given us strength to improve next year’s event,” she said.
In addition to showcasing traditional dances such as Saza, Mapenenga, Ndolo and Visekese, the gathering had an opportunity to view a pavilion that had old hunting materials such as an arrow and a bow, maize and millet grinding stones and locally brewed beer, chipumu as well as sweet beer called chindongwa.
The festival was commemorated under the theme “Protection of the environment, preserving of culture”
