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Malawi hails Kulamba cultural heritage

 

Thousands of people from Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique gathered at Mkaika headquarters in Katete, Zambia, on Saturday to pay homage to Chewa Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi at the annual Kulamba traditional ceremony.

Among other things, the ceremony aims at celebrating Chewa culture through rites and traditional dances.

Speaking on behalf of the Malawi government, Minister of Civic Education, Community Development and Culture Cecilia Chazama said the ceremony has promoted the identity of Chewas in the three countries.

“Malawi government attaches great importance to Kulamba ceremony because it helps in the preservation and promotion of culture in the country,” she added.

A Gule Wamkulu performance during the ceremony

Chazama also said the cultural exchanges between Chewas of the three countries have helped instil discipline in the youth.

She applauded Gawa Undi for discouraging harmful cultural practices such as wife inheritance (chokolo) and fisi in a bid to prevent the spread of HIV and Aids.

“This is in line with the government of Malawi’s stance of eliminating all undesirable cultural practices which are not productive to the society,” she said.

In her speech, Zambia Vice-President Inonge Wina said Kulamba has helped unify the three countries which is in line with regional integration and demonstrates cultural freedom.

“Every year, the Kulamba ceremony has brought together people of the three countries to interact with one another and celebrate their heritage,” she said.

Wina said the Zambian government would continue supporting the ceremony.

Speaking through a representative, Kalonga Gawa Undi hailed the Chewa people for gathering at the Mkaika headquarters every year to celebrate their culture.

“While we are celebrating our culture, we should ensure that we send our children to school, especially girls to ensure that they are educated.

“Let us remain united as Chewa people and move in harmony with other tribes and take Gule Wamkulu as a cultural practice, not religion,” he advised.

The ceremony was attended by a cross-section of people from Malawi led by Chewa Senior Chief Lukwa of Kasungu and other chiefs from Malawi, notably Lhomwe Paramount Chief Ngongoliwa, Yao Paramount Chief Kawinga of Machinga and Inkosi Mtwalo from Mzimba.

Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare Jean Kalirani and leader of opposition Lazarus Chakwera also attended the ceremony. n

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