Mzimba Ngonis close M’mbelwa’s funeral
The Ngoni in Mzimba are today closing the mourning period for the late paramount chief M’mbelwa IV who died last year.
President Joyce Banda is expected to attend the function.
Senior Chief Mtwalo, who is the most senior in the absence of the Ngoni paramount chief, said they will hold prayers to mark the end of the mourning period.
Mtwalo said the Ngoni in Mzimba mourn a paramount chief for one year.
“During this period, which we call khuzo, we suspend all cultural activities in honour of the late chief. After this day, we can now resume all our activities such as umthetho, Ingoma dance and installation of chiefs,” he said.
Mtwalo said the ceremony was scheduled to begin last night with highlights of the late chief’s life on a big screen and end with prayers today.
He said the President has confirmed her attendance.
On what the ceremony means to the Ngoni throne, Mtwalo said the crown prince Mkhosi will now be addressed as Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V.
“The crown prince has an official wedding on April 12 this year. As per our culture, we don’t install a person who is not married. After his marriage, we will then reveal the actual date for his crowning,” he said.
M’mbelwa IV, who died on February 12 2013, was accorded a State funeral. He was laid to rest on February 17 2013 at Edingeni in Mzimba.
The departed Ngoni chief was born Zwangendaba Jere in 1954 and was crowned Inkosi ya Makhosi in 1984.
