THE 2014 edition of the people of Eastern Province ceremony of the Ngoni
THE 2014 edition of the Nc'wala ceremony of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province is over. As per tradition when a big ceremony such as this one closes, it is always ideal to evaluate it.
Such evaluations are done in various forms at different levels.
This year's ceremony was graced by President Michael Sata and notable people such as MMD leader Nevers Mumba, Mwata Kazembe of Luapula and Paramount Chief M'mbelwa designate of Malawi were among many others in attendance.
This year's ceremony was the 34th since its revival in 1980.
The colonial masters had banned the war-like ceremony but it was later revived.
This year's Nc'wala coincided with the country's Jubilee anniversary of independence that will reach its climax on October 24.
Many people including the guest of honour came for the ceremony on Saturday February 22, 2014 but the ceremony did not start and end on this day.
Of course there is the aspect of the Paramount Chief's movement from Ephendukeni to Laweni two days before the ceremony reaches its final day, but this year there were other activities that spiced up the ceremony apart from the usual activities.
The Ministry of Tourism and Arts sponsored a rare Ngoni exhibition on Tuesday February 18 at Chipata's Kapata Cultural village.
The exhibition was meant to display Ngoni artifacts that might have been forgotten or are alien to the current generation.
In emphasising the importance of such exhibitions, director of arts and culture in the Ministry of Tourism and Arts Victor Makashi says there is more to Nc'wala than what happens on the last day.
Makashi says the exhibition was organised to support the Nc'wala ceremony and that the ministry thought of adding an activity to support the Nc'wala ceremony in the Jubilee year.
"You know when people come for the ceremony and by merely attending that ceremony, there is very little in terms of information that you can get, because nobody explains anything. You see people dancing, you see people wearing these things (animal skins) and you don't know what they are. So if you go away just like that, it means you haven't learnt anything. If you come here twice you don't want to come back again because you have seen it all," Makashi says.
He says people should learn about the Ngoni artifacts and how they are used.
"If you come here (at the exhibition) and you go to the ceremony you will be more knowledgeable than those who did not pass through here.
These (artifacts) are very rich cultural items so we need to preserve them not only for information but for posterity. These are the things that tell anybody about our past, present and our future.
We have to build on this because they have a value," Makashi says.
He says the cultural artifacts teach people something about their life.
"Eventually these things become economic assets in the sense that when the tourists come next time, they will not only come for one day for the ceremony. They will come three or four days before so that they can be able to look at these things on display, then attend the Nc'wala.
And by extending the tourists stay in our area then there will be more economic empowerment to our people," Makashi explains.
He says the departments of arts and culture will continue adding value to the traditional ceremonies.
During the exhibition, Ngoni cultural expert Jonathan Mazyopa was on hand to explain the meaning of each cultural item on display.
One of the most important artifacts on display was ng'ato, which is the skin of a squirrel.
The squirrel (or ndende in Nyanja) is expertly skinned by the Ngonis and use its skin to cover their genitals.
"This was a very important item because when they go fighting they needed to cover their nakedness or their manhood. They would prepare a pouch...so that they are protected," Mazyopa explains.
He explains that the late Lassan Zimba who was Paramount Chief Mpezeni's praise singer was using another version of the ng'ato.
Mazyopa also explains the importance of different types of beads used by women.
"According to our culture, a woman is cultured, a woman is well prepared, a woman is well tutored if she knows and values the use of this ulungu (beads). You see it is also of different colours, these colours are also symbolic because each type is worn at a certain time," he explains.
It is evident that those who attended the pre-ceremony exhibition were not lost at the actual ceremony because most of the things or the Ngoni attire was explained.
Officiating at the ceremony on February 22 at Mtenguleni, President Sata who was gracing the annual event for the first time in his capacity as Head of State said traditional ceremonies were an embodiment of the country's intangible cultural heritage.
"The joy that accompanies these celebrations and the love exhibited towards one another, by all of us in attendance today is a testimony of the traditional peace that Zambia continues to enjoy within our borders. In this regard I wish to commend their royal highnesses from within our borders and beyond for coming to give support to his Royal
Highness Paramount Chief Mpezeni," President Sata said.
He said the government was happy with the role the chiefs' play in promoting the wellbeing of the rural people.
And Mpezeni in his speech read by Nc'wala ceremony chairman general Noel Nkhoma said this year's Farmer Input Support Programme was not satisfying and called for improvement in the next season.
Such evaluations are done in various forms at different levels.
This year's ceremony was graced by President Michael Sata and notable people such as MMD leader Nevers Mumba, Mwata Kazembe of Luapula and Paramount Chief M'mbelwa designate of Malawi were among many others in attendance.
This year's ceremony was the 34th since its revival in 1980.
The colonial masters had banned the war-like ceremony but it was later revived.
This year's Nc'wala coincided with the country's Jubilee anniversary of independence that will reach its climax on October 24.
Many people including the guest of honour came for the ceremony on Saturday February 22, 2014 but the ceremony did not start and end on this day.
Of course there is the aspect of the Paramount Chief's movement from Ephendukeni to Laweni two days before the ceremony reaches its final day, but this year there were other activities that spiced up the ceremony apart from the usual activities.
The Ministry of Tourism and Arts sponsored a rare Ngoni exhibition on Tuesday February 18 at Chipata's Kapata Cultural village.
The exhibition was meant to display Ngoni artifacts that might have been forgotten or are alien to the current generation.
In emphasising the importance of such exhibitions, director of arts and culture in the Ministry of Tourism and Arts Victor Makashi says there is more to Nc'wala than what happens on the last day.
Makashi says the exhibition was organised to support the Nc'wala ceremony and that the ministry thought of adding an activity to support the Nc'wala ceremony in the Jubilee year.
"You know when people come for the ceremony and by merely attending that ceremony, there is very little in terms of information that you can get, because nobody explains anything. You see people dancing, you see people wearing these things (animal skins) and you don't know what they are. So if you go away just like that, it means you haven't learnt anything. If you come here twice you don't want to come back again because you have seen it all," Makashi says.
He says people should learn about the Ngoni artifacts and how they are used.
"If you come here (at the exhibition) and you go to the ceremony you will be more knowledgeable than those who did not pass through here.
These (artifacts) are very rich cultural items so we need to preserve them not only for information but for posterity. These are the things that tell anybody about our past, present and our future.
We have to build on this because they have a value," Makashi says.
He says the cultural artifacts teach people something about their life.
"Eventually these things become economic assets in the sense that when the tourists come next time, they will not only come for one day for the ceremony. They will come three or four days before so that they can be able to look at these things on display, then attend the Nc'wala.
And by extending the tourists stay in our area then there will be more economic empowerment to our people," Makashi explains.
He says the departments of arts and culture will continue adding value to the traditional ceremonies.
During the exhibition, Ngoni cultural expert Jonathan Mazyopa was on hand to explain the meaning of each cultural item on display.
One of the most important artifacts on display was ng'ato, which is the skin of a squirrel.
The squirrel (or ndende in Nyanja) is expertly skinned by the Ngonis and use its skin to cover their genitals.
"This was a very important item because when they go fighting they needed to cover their nakedness or their manhood. They would prepare a pouch...so that they are protected," Mazyopa explains.
He explains that the late Lassan Zimba who was Paramount Chief Mpezeni's praise singer was using another version of the ng'ato.
Mazyopa also explains the importance of different types of beads used by women.
"According to our culture, a woman is cultured, a woman is well prepared, a woman is well tutored if she knows and values the use of this ulungu (beads). You see it is also of different colours, these colours are also symbolic because each type is worn at a certain time," he explains.
It is evident that those who attended the pre-ceremony exhibition were not lost at the actual ceremony because most of the things or the Ngoni attire was explained.
Officiating at the ceremony on February 22 at Mtenguleni, President Sata who was gracing the annual event for the first time in his capacity as Head of State said traditional ceremonies were an embodiment of the country's intangible cultural heritage.
"The joy that accompanies these celebrations and the love exhibited towards one another, by all of us in attendance today is a testimony of the traditional peace that Zambia continues to enjoy within our borders. In this regard I wish to commend their royal highnesses from within our borders and beyond for coming to give support to his Royal
Highness Paramount Chief Mpezeni," President Sata said.
He said the government was happy with the role the chiefs' play in promoting the wellbeing of the rural people.
And Mpezeni in his speech read by Nc'wala ceremony chairman general Noel Nkhoma said this year's Farmer Input Support Programme was not satisfying and called for improvement in the next season.