Examine harmful cultural practices—Gawa Undi

Kalonga Gawa Undi has urged Chewa chiefs in Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique to stop harmful cultural practices which expose people to HIV and Aids.

He was speaking on Saturday at his Mkaika Headquarters in Zambia, during this year’s Kulamba ceremony.

Gawa Undi, who spoke through nduna, said he was aware of the practice of some harmful cultural practices in the three countries.

“I am aware that we are still practising some harmful cultural practices which expose people to HIV and Aids. I urge you chiefs to examine such practices and stop them immediately,” he said.

The chief said HIV and Aids was impacting negatively on the economies of the the three countries as productive citizens were dying of the disease which was fuelled by some cultural practices.

He said there was need to create HIV free nations or reduce further spread of the disease if the three countries were to register success in terms of sound economy as well as development.

Vice-President Khumbo Kachali, who represented President Joyce Banda at the ceremony commended the commemoration of Kulamba, which takes place every year, saying it helps strengthen relations among different tribes of the three countries.

Kulamba ceremony is a traditional ceremony for Chewa people of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, which is celebrated on the last Saturday of the month of August at its headquarters in Zambia.