Umhlangano wa Maseko on August 30

The Ngoni Maseko will on August 30 hold a cultural event dubbed Umhlangano wa Maseko (gathering of the Maseko) to celebrate their cultural heritage at Nkolimbo Village In Ntcheu.

The event will be graced by the founder of the Maseko Ngoni heritage, Inkosi ya amakhosi Gomani V.

Traditional dances such as war dance of ngoma, uyeni, nsindo and nhwendo, among others will be showcased at Nkolimbo grounds during the day.

Prior to the displays, the Maseko Ngonis will wake up with the mist of dawn to offer sacrifice on the tomb of Inkosi Ya amakhosi Chikuse Gomani 1 at a ritual ceremony called Kukhwisula pa Manda.

The procession of Ngoni tribesmen will march to the tomb of the fallen Ngwenyama (Lion) to offer the sacrifice.

The tomb, which is protected by the Department of Antiquities, is a no go zone for women and people who are not from the royal blood during the ritual.

Prayers that are offered at the tomb are in Isingoni language and alongside (Masese) opaque beer sipping and spitting on the four cardinal directions.

During the day, there will be a display of traditional cuisines such as wild birds, Chikande, Mperera and other traditional cuisines. Traditional aphrodisiacs such as Gondolosi will also be on display during the day.

In an Interview with Chill, Senior Chief Inkosi Makwangwala said this event is an annual event which aims at celebrating the heritage of the Ngoni people and also making sure it is passed on to the later generations.

“We want our children to know the Ngoni ways of life, their food how they prepared them, their dances and many things which they can learn from us,” said the Inkosi.

He said that they have chosen to offer sacrifice at the tomb of Inkosi Yamakosi Chikuse Gomani 1 because he is a martyr who fought against colonial rule.

“By the time John Chilembwe started the uprising, Chikuse had already started the resistance against colonial rule until his death in 1896,” he said.

Makwangwala pleaded for donations from well-wishers to make the event a success.

“We are pleading with well-wishers to make donations so that this year’s Umhlangano should be a success,” he said.

Last year the annual cultural event was held on September 1 and was graced by the then president of Malawi, Joyce Banda. Makwangwala said they are expecting the presence of president Peter Mutharika at this year’s event.