Preparations for this year’s Nc’wala Traditional Ceremony have intensified as the Ngoni people gear up for the annual event in Eastern Province.
Some members of the organising committee have already travelled to Lusaka to attend the N’cwala Gala Dinner, while others to Nakonde ahead of the commemoration of King Zwangendaba, scheduled for February 18, 2026.
A check at Mtenguleni by the media found heightened preparatory activities, with traders setting up makeshift stalls in readiness for business during the ceremony.
Some members of the Nc’wala organising committee were also seen painting and preparing the Mtenguleni main arena.
N’cwala Ceremony Organising Committee Secretary, Adamson Sakala, confirmed that preparations are progressing well.
Mr Sakala disclosed that four Impis from each chiefdom are expected to travel to Nakonde to accompany Paramount Chief Mpezeni for the memorial service of King Zwangendaba.
Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole, was among officials who inspected the preparations at the main arena today.
Mr Thole said electricity will be installed at the arena four days before the main event adding that water supply and taps will also be set up at the venue.
He further stated that road maintenance and rehabilitation works have been completed in most parts, with remaining works expected to be finalised before the ceremony.
And Chief Maguya has expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far but has urged villages responsible for supplying cattle to ensure the animals are delivered ahead of the main ceremony to guarantee adequate food supplies.
District Commissioners from Chipata, Kasenengwa, Chipangali and Petauke, along with other government officials, were also in attendance, bringing the total number of government representatives present to 55.
Meanwhile, 211 members attended the preparatory meeting held in Laweni area in Kasenengwa district.
Earlier, the impis, including women who perform the traditional Lishombe dance rehearsed alongside Ngoni warriors in readiness for the ceremony, which will run from February 18 to 28, 2026.
More than 20 preparatory meetings have been held from October 2025 to date in anticipation of the annual Nc’wala Ceremony, one of Zambia’s major traditional events on the national cultural calendar.
