The Bemba Royal Establishment says Mwinelubemba Chitimukulu of the Bemba people cannot attend the funeral of late Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV, who was both his tribal cousin and close ally.
In an interview with Kalemba, Chitimukulu’s secretary Richard Mukuka said this is due to longstanding royal customs that forbid the Bemba king from coming into contact with death.
Mukuka explained that the kingship does not engage directly with funerals where the body of the deceased is present and therefore Mwinelubemba cannot attend any part of the funeral or burial proceedings.
“He cannot attend the funeral. He will only send representatives and that will only be after the burial,” said Mukuka.
He added that the same rule extends to graveyards, viewing or touching of bodies.
According to the Royal Establishment, these customs apply even in cases of close personal relations, including family members and allies.
Chitimukulu previously observed the same tradition when he did not attend the funerals of his wife and two children.
The Royal Establishment stated that in cases involving other traditional leaders, the Bemba king may only pay respects after burial and at a designated mourning site away from where the body was kept.
Late Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV died on Saturday last week and will be buried on Tuesday next week.
The Ngoni king ruled the Ngoni nation for 44 years and leaves behind a wife, one child and grandchildren.
