The Chewa Royal Establishment has maintained its stance of not allowing political attire at this year’s Kulamba Traditional ceremony of the Chewa people in at Mkaika in Eastern Province to be held on September 5, 2009.
And preparations for the ceremony have reached an advanced stage, with Republican President, Rupiah Banda expected to host his Malawian and Mozambican counterparts, Bingu wa Mutharika and Armando Guebuza.
Chewa Royal Establishment spokesperson, Joseph Chikuta, says the establishment would not encourage people at the ceremony to dress in political attire, saying all the people that attend Kulamba are respected equally regardless of their political affiliation.
Mr Chikuta was speaking in an interview with ZANIS at Mkaika headquarters in Katete.
“We are discouraging political dressing because that could fuel some friction between parties as some may boast of popularity with regard to the numbers dressed in their outfit,” he said.
He stated that all the three countries of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique that will attend the ceremony have different political parties , adding that if they were all allowed to dress in their political attire of their choice it would be disastrous.
Mr Chikata said the concept of the ceremony of appreciating Kalonga Gawa Undi would be compromised if people were allowed to show their political affiliation at the arena.
He said the ceremony would not be modernized by modern structures constructed at the arena, adding that the sweetness of the ceremony was as a result of maintaining its originality while attracting people from abroad with its uniqueness.[quote]
Mr Chikuta said a Japanese from Katemula in Japan, who visited the area two weeks ago, bemoaned the loss of culture and tradition in his country but was very impressed with the arrangements.
Mr Chikuta said a lot of companies and well-wishers have responded positively towards the preparations of the traditional ceremony.
“Companies and individuals have supported us financially and materially to make the ceremony a success,” he added.
The Kulamba traditional ceremony is usually held on the last Saturday of the month of August every year, but this year it has been rescheduled for September 5, because all the three invited presidents were committed on August 29, 2009.
“Last year it was rescheduled to September 15,2008 due to the demise of the late President Levy Mwanawasa. It is not that it would be routine to reschedule,” he added.
ZANIS
It is possible because after all there are bye-elections in that area.It would have been different if at all there were to be bye-elections.
I support this decision ,100%! its a shame that traditional ceremonies are slowly being turned into politics. Hope it works out.
Number 1 lelo!
I think that is a good idea to discourage political attire at traditional ceremonies. I really think that they should be reserved for political activities and the like
Missed that number!
Latest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Teta is died. He died in the early hours of the morning today.
Iwe KK, who told you that Teta afa?
Rubbish……..Banda is an MMD Political attire himself! What are they talking about?
When somebody iz invited az FDD, MMD, PF-UPND or indeed APC, surely they want to identify themselvez az such, and you can’t deny them. Don’t invite any one, let them come on their own, then you can insist no “funny attaire”.
Chiefs who do not openly support Political parties are very welcome unlike those disgraced Lamba Chiefs in Chitambo who blindly sacrifice their subjects to Politicians after being given Brown-envelops.
KK ukutumpa aikona! Stop spreading lies iwe chi Kachepa!
At last the sun has risen in the East and it has dawned! Would to God that the rest of the country awakens to this new light!
I am proud that this shows of the diversity in my province and Zambia, wise people in the East awakening. All we need is to disown Banda as being of our Province.